Gulfstream Becomes First OEM to Receive EASA Operational Credit for EVS-equipped Aircraft to Fly Approaches to 100 Feet

Aug. 25, 2008
EU-OPS rule 1.430(h), the European equivalent of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.175, requires pilots using instrument approach procedures be able to visually see the approach lights and runway environment from a predetermined distance in order to proceed with landing the aircraft.

SAVANNAH, Ga., August 25, 2008 – Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), recently became the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to receive approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for all of its aircraft equipped with the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS) to obtain operational credit for continuing approaches to 100 feet.

“As a result of the revised European Union Operations (EU-OPS) rules, all EVS-equipped Gulfstream aircraft will be able to proceed from Decision Height to a 100-foot altitude when using EVS for low-visibility approaches,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “We are extremely pleased that by working closely with EASA, we were able to make this significant safety enhancement available to our customers.”

EU-OPS rule 1.430(h), the European equivalent of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.175, requires pilots using instrument approach procedures be able to visually see the approach lights and runway environment from a predetermined distance in order to proceed with landing the aircraft. With EVS, that distance has been reduced to 100 feet, because the pilot can use the visual cues EVS supplies.

U.S. operators flying in and out of Europe can take immediate advantage of the EASA approval. European-based operators must still obtain operational approval from the authority or agency that is legally responsible for operational approvals in the country where each aircraft is registered.

Additionally, Gulfstream received validation from EASA to install the upgraded version of its Enhanced Vision System (EVS II) on any of its four in-production large-cabin Gulfstream aircraft models.

Commencing in the fourth quarter of this year, EVS II will be standard on new-production ultra-long-range G550 and long-range G450 business jets. It will be available as an option on the G500 and G350. EVS II is 22 pounds lighter, features four times the computational power and has four times the memory of its predecessor.

EVS II was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in late 2007. The original Gulfstream EVS was certified on Sept. 14, 2001. The Gulfstream EVS incorporates a specially designed forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera that projects an infrared real-world image on the pilot’s Head-Up Display (HUD). On even the darkest nights, pilots using EVS can clearly see a mountain range, a runway or any aircraft or vehicles on taxiways.

Today, more than 400 Gulfstream aircraft operate with the Gulfstream EVS.

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 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 9,700 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com. General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2008 revenues of approximately $29.5 billion. 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 the company is available on the Internet at wwwgeneraldynamics.com.