Gulfstream Aerospace has announced it has created a center dedicated to the resolution of aircraft-on-ground (AOG) issues, providing Gulfstream operators with an unprecedented level of integrated support and ensuring faster return to service of their grounded aircraft.
The nearly 2,400 square-foot/223 square-meter center is located in the 679,199-sf/63,100-sm Gulfstream Savannah Service Center, the world’s largest and most technically advanced maintenance facility built specifically for business jets, and is staffed by an enterprise-wide team of experts dedicated to predicting, preventing and resolving maintenance or logistics issues that would prevent an aircraft from making its next flight.
“This is the first time we’ve concentrated such a broad team of multidisciplinary personnel together in a space solely dedicated to AOG situations,” said Derek Zimmerman, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “Co-locating technical experts with cross-enterprise resources, including logistics, materials and purchasing support, will lead to more coordinated responses to customers, expedite resolution of issues and get aircraft back in the air faster than ever.”
Calls or messages that come into the Technical Operations Contact Center, if designated an “AOG” condition, are routed to the center, where experienced team members have Gulfstream’s vast worldwide resources at their fingertips. These include: multiple Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST) aircraft to deliver mission-critical parts, tools and/or technicians; more than 150 field service representatives and FAST-dedicated technicians, including 12 mobile repair teams with specially equipped vehicles; more than $1.6 billion in spares inventory at over 20 locations; and a network of more than 30 company-owned and authorized service centers and warranty facilities.
The center is also equipped with large monitors that provide an up-to-date visual dashboard of Gulfstream aircraft in-work worldwide and the company’s maintenance facilities and personnel, along with health updates from aircraft during flight.
“Our AOG center is the next evolution of what our Technical Operations department has had in place for years,” Zimmerman said. “Continuously improving our services is part of our effort to meet and exceed the expectations of our growing worldwide fleet.”
