Gulfstream has enhanced in-flight connectivity through a new service launched in partnership with Satcom Direct.

The Connectivity Service programme bundles a suite of in-flight internet, voice and entertainment offerings, customised to meet the needs of each Gulfstream operator.

“This new service will simplify and enhance the connectivity experience by seamlessly integrating all aspects of in-flight connectivity with the Gulfstream aircraft ownership experience,” said Derek Zimmerman, President, Gulfstream Product Support. 

“It will make connectivity more accessible and easier to understand. The integration provides customers everything they need to create and maintain the ultimate experience in nose-to-tail connectivity. Gulfstream will be their single source for equipment, service networks and technical support.”

Satcom Direct will be the exclusive provider of cabin and cockpit connectivity service plans on both in-production and in-service aircraft.

“Satcom Direct is proud to have been selected to support Gulfstream’s Connectivity Service,” said Jim Jensen, founder and CEO of Satcom Direct. “Through this programme, Gulfstream customers will be able to fly in confidence knowing they can maximise faster, richer data during all phases of flight around the globe.”

Bundled cabin connectivity options will feature Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX, the fastest in-flight internet connection in business aviation, as well as other networks such as Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband and ViaSat’s Ku-band service. Flight-deck options will include a datalink service that enables mandated safety systems, including Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A+.

Gulfstream Technical Operations, with on-site support from Satcom Direct, will be the single source for connectivity questions and troubleshooting.

Gulfstream’s service centres worldwide will complete connectivity installations in Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia; Westfield, Massachusetts; Appleton, Wisconsin; Las Vegas, Nevada; Long Beach, California; Dallas, Texas; West Palm Beach, Florida; Luton, England; Sorocaba, Brazil; and Beijing, China.


ST LOUIS MRO

Gulfstream also revealed it is to take over Jet Aviation’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations at St Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia, Illinois. 

Jet Aviation, which is Gulfstream’s sister company, will continue to fulfill its obligation to current MRO and completions customers through the transition, which will start later this year and finish in 2018.

“Having a Gulfstream MRO facility in St Louis reflects Gulfstream’s commitment to providing customers first-class support throughout their ownership experience,” said Zimmerman. “The facility will complement our network of eight company-owned service centres in the United States and provide additional maintenance and service capacity for the growing Gulfstream fleet and service business. The St Louis facility, which is already part of the General Dynamics family, is ideally situated for providing Gulfstream operators a regional maintenance resource.”

David Paddock, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Jet Aviation Regional Operations USA, said, “The transition addresses our excess maintenance capacity in St Louis while helping Gulfstream provide additional support for their customers. With 12 locations in North America, we are focused on expanding our footprint and providing Jet Aviation’s customers with value-added flight services, including fixed-base operator (FBO), aircraft management, charter and staffing. Jet Aviation will continue to provide MRO services in Burbank, California, to support the growing West Coast-managed fleet and also continue to operate the FBO at St Louis Downtown Airport.”

Gulfstream St Louis will be overseen by General Manager Vince Ruscitti, an 18-year Gulfstream employee. Prior to this appointment, Ruscitti was the director of Service Center Operations at Gulfstream Dallas.

Gulfstream St Louis technicians will be authorised by the Federal Aviation Administration to perform maintenance on all Gulfstream business jets registered in the US.

Gulfstream and Jet Aviation are part of the General Dynamics of the US, one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world.