ORLANDO, Fla., October 29, 2012 — Gulfstream Product Support continued to add capabilities around the world throughout the third quarter, all while preparing for the entry-into-service of Gulfstream’s two new aircraft, the G650 and G280.
“This is an unprecedented time for our company and for our organization,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “We began 2012 with a very strong support network in the U.S. and continue to add resources there. We’ve also expanded our capabilities in Asia, Europe and South America. We are committed to continuing to provide our customers with top-quality service, no matter where they are.”
Just recently, Gulfstream strengthened its customer support in Europe by adding a Field and Airborne Support Team (FAST) member in Paris. The maintenance engineer is based at Le Bourget Airport, one of the world’s business jet hubs.
The FAST program, which specializes in aircraft-on-ground support, includes two G100s, eight pilots and 15 technicians based in North America, five maintenance engineers in Europe and more than 20 support vehicles throughout the U.S. and Europe. The vehicles include a specially outfitted rapid-response truck that recently began operating out of the San Francisco Bay Area.
In alignment with Gulfstream’s growing presence in Asia, the company’s Long Beach, Calif., facility added Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking service center coordinators (SCCs) this year. An SCC is responsible for coordinating customer aircraft visits from pre-planning to post-service follow-up.
Earlier this year, Gulfstream Long Beach earned approved maintenance organization designations from Canada and Malaysia. With these authorizations, Gulfstream aircraft registered with Transport Canada and the Department of Civil Aviation can undergo maintenance, repairs, alterations and inspections a tLong Beach. Nearly 40 Gulfstream aircraft operate in Canada and Malaysia.
Gulfstream Dallas continued its expansion in 2012 by adding 18 technicians to the service center staff. The 412,000-square-foot facility, which employs more than 200, recently added a wheel and brake shop, which includes non-destructive testing, bead-breaking and auto-inflation capabilities. A dedicated staff can work on wheels, brakes and tires for all Gulfstream models along with Bombardier Challenger 601, 604 and 300 aircraft.
Gulfstream continues to maintain its position as the industry’s leader in technician training. At the start of the 65th National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting & Convention, company technicians have earned more than 365 FlightSafety International Master Technician designations, the most of any original equipment manufacturer. According to FlightSafety, 66 percent — 1,124 — of the more than 2,011 Master Technician designations worldwide are for Gulfstream aircraft.
The Master Technician program is considered the business-aviation standard for advanced, in-depth maintenance technician training.
FlightSafety International and Gulfstream Aerospace Expand Training Services Agreement to Include The All-New Gulfstream G650 and Gulfstream G250 Aircraft
It has expanded its training services agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace to include the new Gulfstream G650 and Gulfstream G250 aircraft.
Company Has More Employees With Designation Than Any Other Original Equipment Manufacturer.
At the end of 2009, Gulfstream had 63 Master Technicians. The company now has 114, the most of any original equipment manufacturer (OEM).