September 23, 2008 (Dallas, TX) Aircraft Security & Alert Systems, the sole provider of custom-designed Medeco locks for aircraft, has been contracted by Gulfstream Aerospace to develop a new, advanced lock system for the company's top-of-the-line aircraft.
Aircraft Security & Alert Systems already supplies locks for the G150, G200, G450 and G550. Each set contains up to 20 individual locks for every door and access panel on an aircraft, all accessed by one key that can only be duplicated by Aircraft Security & Alert Systems.
The new locks for the G650 are smaller and lighter, as well as shorter in depth so that they can more easily be installed in confined areas. They are also designed to assure a flush finish with the aircraft skin.
As with the company's other locks, the new locks always align vertically when in the locked position so that pilots can tell at a glance that all doors and panels are properly locked. First deliveries of the G650 locks took place in September 2008.
Medeco locks are virtually impossible to pick, drill through or to pry off an aircraft. Whereas standard locks are built of pot metal that will easily bend or break under force, Medeco locks are made of hardened steel. Standard locks have only one set of tumblers. Medeco locks have two sets of tumblers, while keys are bi-directionally cut, both vertically and horizontally. Duplicate keys can only be produced by Aircraft Security and Alert and only for the documented owner of an aircraft.
"The standard locks on many aircraft are surprisingly easy to open with only a similarly shaped key. New cars are equipped with better locks than many multi-million dollar aircraft," said Jim Jetton, President of Aircraft Security & Alert Systems.
The company can code a fleet of aircraft to one key, allowing line pilots to access multiple aircraft. Every major fractional aircraft operator uses Aircraft Security & Alert Systems locks for this reason. New keys and locks can be shipped quickly to the purchaser of a pre-owned aircraft to ensure access control.
Dallas, Texas-based Aircraft Security & Alert Systems has provided advanced Medeco locking systems to the aviation industry since 1981. Its locking systems are now standard on products from every major business aircraft manufacturer. The company's proprietary, custom-designed aviation locks are available for retrofit on most turbine business aircraft models. The company ships approximately 10,000 locks a year.
