GULFSTREAM PROMOTES NEIL VERNON TO CHIEF PILOT, G450/G550 DEMONSTRATION
SAVANNAH, Ga., Aug. 17, 2005 - Gulfstream Aerospace has promoted Neil Vernon to chief pilot, G450/G550 demonstration. In this role, he will oversee G450 and G550 demonstration flights to best display the aircraft's performance and capabilities to potential customers and customer pilots. Corporations throughout the world operate the large-cabin, long-range G450 and the large-cabin, ultra-long range G550 business jets.
A five-year Gulfstream employee, Vernon previously served as an international demonstration captain/safety officer. In 2000, he joined Galaxy Aerospace (acquired by Gulfstream in 2001) as a demonstration pilot/international captain, flying Astra and Galaxy business jets. Following Gulfstream's acquisition of the Galaxy and its two aircraft models, the business jets were renamed the G100 and G200, respectively.
A pilot for more than 20 years, Vernon has flown corporate jets for National Bank of Commerce in Lincoln, Neb., and Gateway Computers in Sioux City, Iowa. Early in his aviation career, he was an airline transport pilot, flying for three regional airlines - West Air, G.P. Express, and Lin Aire, Inc. Vernon also served dual roles - pilot and aviation education coordinator -- for the state of Nebraska. In addition to transporting state government officials including the governor, he was responsible for aviation education within the state's Department of Aeronautics.
Vernon has earned pilot type ratings for all Gulfstream business-jet aircraft as well as the Beechcraft King Air 300/350.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation , a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100 ™; the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150 ™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 ™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350 ™; the large-cabin, long-range G450 ™; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500 ™ and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 ™. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales ®. The company employs more than 7,200 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church , Virginia , employs approximately 70,100 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of $19.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com