SAVANNAH, Ga., February 2, 2010 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that the Gulfstream G150 aircraft has achieved steep approach certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
This approval allows the G150 to operate at airports with an approach angle of up to 6 degrees. Most airports have an approach angle of 3.5 degrees or less.
Several airports worldwide require steep approach certification to land at their facility due to terrain, obstacles or local noise ordinances. They include: Lugano in Switzerland; Sion in Switzerland; Stephenville International in Newfoundland, Canada; Marseille Provence in Marignane, France; and Chambery in Le Viviers du Lac, France. The G150 is the first Gulfstream aircraft to receive steep approach certification from the FAA and EASA.
In October 2006, the mid-size, high-speed G150 business jet was certified by the FAA for Stage 4, the industry’s most stringent noise standards. It was the first Gulfstream business jet to be certified to this standard. Additionally, the G150 has group Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) approval.
“These FAA and EASA certifications allow our Gulfstream G150 operators around the world greater flexibility, particularly the operators in Europe,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test.
The G150 successfully completed its first flight on May 3, 2005, and was simultaneously certified by both the FAA and the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel on Nov. 7, 2005. Powered by two fuel-efficient Honeywell TFE731 engines, the wide-cabin aircraft offers the best performance in its mid-sized class with a range of 2,959 nautical miles at 0.75 Mach. It also offers the most comfortable cabin environment in its class. Its wide-body fuselage provides stand-up headroom, ample aisle space and generous legroom and headroom when seated.
