GULFSTREAM IS FIRST PART 91 OPERATOR TO USE NEW, FASTER PLATFORM FOR FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATIONS

WebOPSS Streamlines Approval Process; Beneficial To Company, Customers

SAVANNAH, Ga., August 30, 2010 - The Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. Flight Operations
department has reduced the time it takes to receive a reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) Letter of Authorization (LOA) from two weeks to just a few days, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA said Gulfstream Flight Ops is the first Part 91 operator to use the Web-Based Operators Safety System (WebOPSS) to process FAA-required operations documents, saving time for customers and the company.

WebOPSS is the Internet platform for OPSS, an automated system that distributes standardized regulatory and policy requirements to the aviation community and collects and maintains operating authorizations for the FAA.  Typical WebOPSS transactions involve the processing of documents such as an LOA or Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL).

Gulfstream first used WebOPSS for an RVSM LOA for a Gulfstream G450 demonstrator.  Without the RVSM LOA, the airplane would have been restricted from flying above FL290.  Gulfstream has since used WebOPSS to process an RVSM LOA for a previously owned aircraft.  LOAs are required by the FAA before an aircraft’s RVSM capabilities can be demonstrated to customers.  Usually, the LOA paperwork is sent back and forth, from operator to the FAA, through the mail.  The entire process can take weeks.

 "The new system is a tremendous time savings for both parties - the FAA and Gulfstream," said Randy Gaston, vice president, Flight Operations, Gulfstream.  "Our fleet changes regularly, so this new process will enable us to use the full operating envelope without being limited by lack of RVSM approval."

Besides streamlining the approval process, the benefits of WebOPSS include the ability to process authorizations from any location with Internet access and quick dissemination of FAA policies to operator and inspector communities. Digital signatures streamline the process for both the FAA and the operator.

 

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 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 91,000 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.