NBAA News -- Gulfstream and FlightSafety to Expand Total Technical Training Program to West Coast
Savannah, Sept. 24, 2007 – Gulfstream Aerospace and FlightSafety International are expanding their Total Technical Training (TTT or "Triple T") collaborative maintenance training program to Long Beach, Calif. This announcement comes less than a year after the two companies announced expansion of TTT in Dallas, the first program expansion outside Gulfstream's Savannah headquarters.
"The Triple T program is a classic example of how two organizations can work together to create something more effective and valuable than if they attempted it on their own," said Larry Flynn, president, Product Support, Gulfstream. "FlightSafety is an outstanding partner and our customers have recognized the value of that partnership."
TTT is an advanced, hands-on aircraft maintenance training program that leverages Gulfstream’s expert knowledge of the aircraft and its systems with FlightSafety’s expertise in training. The result is consistent training classes that provide accurate technical information in an optimal learning environment.
"Response from our customers to the innovative Triple T program has been outstanding," said Bruce Whitman, president and chief executive officer, Flight Safety International. "Offering this industry-leading program at our Long Beach Learning Center is a clear demonstration of our desire to expand and enhance the services provided to Gulfstream aircraft operators and our close working relationship with Gulfstream."
As part of the TTT program expansion, FlightSafety plans to add a convertible G350/G450/G500/G550 simulator in the first quarter of 2008 to augment its existing GII, GIII and GIV simulators at its Learning Center in Long Beach, Calif. Also in support of the TTT program, eight instructors – five from FlightSafety and three from Gulfstream – will be dedicated to the new TTT program and three new Matrix classrooms and two new Graphical Flight Simulators will be added. Gulfstream and FlightSafety expect to have the Long Beach TTT program fully operational by June 2008.
FlightSafety's Long Beach Learning Center is adjacent to Gulfstream’s manufacturing and product support facility, both of which are located at the Long Beach Airport. In addition to training Gulfstream and General Dynamics Aviation Services personnel, the FlightSafety Long Beach facility will train customer maintenance technicians and pilots.
TTT was introduced in 1997 at the FlightSafety Learning Center in Savannah, where Gulfstream is headquartered. The program has grown by 300 percent in the past five years and now trains more than 2,000 aircraft technicians a year.