MASTER TECHNICIAN PROGRAM FLOURISHES AT GULFSTREAM

Gulfstream Has Industry-Leading 114 Employees With Designation

SAVANNAH, Ga., June 9, 2010 - Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced today that 51 company employees have earned the FlightSafety International Master Technician designation so far in 2010.

At the end of 2009, Gulfstream had 63 Master Technicians. The company now has 114, the most of any original equipment manufacturer (OEM), including at least two at each of the 10 Gulfstream and General Dynamics Aviation Services facilities in the United States.

The Master Technician Training Program, which FlightSafety International began in 1994, is a comprehensive, systematic series of advanced skills courses that provide career development for technicians. The program is considered the business-aviation standard for advanced, in-depth maintenance technician training.

"We are very proud of the employees who have achieved this milestone," said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. "The Master Technician Training Program produces knowledgeable, safety-focused technicians. This results in reduced aircraft downtime, improved turnaround times and increased dispatch reliability. The program is a great example of our commitment to providing the best customer support available."

"Gulfstream has embraced our Master Technician Training Program like no other OEM," said FlightSafety spokeswoman Liz Robinson. "Our classrooms are full and we have added a few classes. We appreciate Gulfstream’s continued support."

Technician training on Gulfstream aircraft is available at FlightSafety facilities in Savannah; Dallas; Long Beach, Calif.; and Wilmington, Del. According to FlightSafety statistics, of the 1,258 technicians from around the world who have earned Master Technician status, 61 percent have it for Gulfstream aircraft.

To earn the Master Technician designation, maintenance technicians must successfully complete five advanced maintenance courses for a specific aircraft. The complete program is available for all Gulfstream aircraft models except the G150 and G450. Those courses are expected to be finalized later this year. The class work begins with a four-week Maintenance Initial course and continues with a one-week Maintenance Update course on that aircraft. The other three courses, each a week long, are Engine Run and Taxi; Troubleshooting; and Operational Maintenance Procedures.

The Operational Maintenance Procedures class includes scenarios that challenge a technician to quickly return the aircraft to service. It is often combined with the Troubleshooting class.

A technician must score 90 percent or above on each written and hands-on exam to advance in the program. To be eligible for Master Technician status, an employee must successfully complete at least one class every two years.

 

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 some 1,800 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 wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200®; the new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350®; the large-cabin, long-range G450®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550® and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650®. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 9,000 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our website for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.

General Dynamics headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 91,200 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.