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Gulfstream IV Receives Certification from New Zealand

Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has received Type Acceptance Certification for its large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream IV (GIV/GIV-SP) business jet from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZCAA), enabling this aircraft model to be registered in New Zealand.

Air National, a large New Zealand air transport operator, recently purchased a GIV-SP for its charter operations. Now that the aircraft has been placed on the New Zealand register of certified aircraft, it can be employed for charter flights.

By issuing the Type Acceptance Certificate in July, the NZCAA validated the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's GIV Type Certificate. Air National's GIV-SP entered charter service on August 7 and already has flown passengers to Europe and the United States.

Introduced in 1985, the large-cabin, long-range GIV is the best-selling business jet in its class and holder of more than 70 world records, including both eastbound and westbound around-the-world speed records. For 16 years, the GIV has met the air transportation needs for corporations, governments, including heads of states, private individuals, and air charter companies around the world. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Tay engines, the GIV can fly at Mach .80 and with a take-off distance of 5,450 feet, the GIV can land in airports with runways too short to accommodate commercial aircraft. The GIV, with a dispatch reliability rate of 99.66 percent, is the most dependable in its class.

In December 2002, Gulfstream produced the 500th and last GIV aircraft and began production on two new models - the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G400 and large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G300 business jets. Introduced in September 2002 at the National Business Aviation Association's Annual Meeting and Convention, the G400 and G300 offer customers more choice in terms of range, outfitting and price, without sacrificing the built-in reliability of the GIV.

The G300 addresses an emerging market segment, one that requires a spacious cabin with standup headroom, generous aisle space and ample comfortable seating, but doesn't require long-range capability. With a maximum range of 3,600 nautical miles, the large-cabin, mid-range aircraft can fly up to 14 passengers at Mach .80 nonstop from Chicago to London. The aircraft, powered by two Rolls-Royce Tay engines, offers multiple cabin layouts and several preferred option packages.

The G400 is fully equipped and includes the industry-exclusive Gulfstream 5-year Maintenance and Training Package, a standard Head-up Display and state-of-the-art navigational equipment. The large-cabin, long-range aircraft can fly up to 14 passengers 4,100 nautical miles nonstop at speeds of up to .88 Mach. With the largest cabin in its class, the G400 allows for excellent onboard productivity and comfort and owners can choose to customize the aircraft interior to meet their individual needs.

Gulfstream designs and manufactures the world's most technologically advanced business jet aircraft in Historic Savannah, Georgia.