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.
For more information see the article in AMT, October 2009, www.amtonline.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=9580
