New Gulfstream support vehicle

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced it has increased its support of Gulfstream operators in Europe with the addition of a custom-outfitted Field and Airborne Support Team (FAST) vehicle.

(Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation)

The rapid-response vehicle, an Iveco cargo van, can transport a team of up to three technicians to support operators in aircraft-on-ground situations or other assistance-needed scenarios. It is based at Gulfstream’s facility at London Luton Airport and manned by personnel from the site.

“This FAST vehicle is outfitted with the tools and storage that enable our Luton technicians to become an even more valuable resource for customers at airports throughout the United Kingdom and Europe,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “The ability to travel to an aircraft’s location typically results in faster return to service for an operator and financial savings because there’s no need for relocation expenses.”

The 22-foot-by-13-foot/6.71-meter-by-3.96-meter FAST vehicle is equipped with tools, a work table, vise, generator, hydraulic ramp, wheel storage, jacks, compressed gas, consumables such as oil, paint and sealants, and Wi-Fi. With these resources, Gulfstream technicians can perform:

•    Line-service repairs
•    Post-flight and storage inspections
•    Minor cabin interior repairs

Luton’s FAST van, which is already being used to support customers, will make its official debut July 12 at the TAG Airshow Challenge bicycle race, serving as the Gulfstream team’s support vehicle. The event, a 250-mile/402-kilometer cycling stage race, features 10 teams, each sponsored by a business aviation company. The teams will race from Paris-Le Bourget Airport to England’s Farnborough Airport over 2 ½ days to raise money for U.K. aviation charity fly2help.

Gulfstream Luton is a certified European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration repair station, and holds EASA Part 21 design organization approval. The facility is also authorized to work on Gulfstream aircraft registered in Aruba, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Canada, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania and Turkey.

Gulfstream Luton technicians perform work on more than 100 aircraft monthly at their facility or on location elsewhere in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

(Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Media Release)