Specially Equipped 74-Foot Tractor-Trailer Debuts In Time For 2014 Super Bowl

If you're flying your Gulfstream business jet to the Super Bowl this weekend and need support while you're there, Gulfstream says it has enhanced its support of operators attending major U.S.-based events with the addition of its biggest and most capable Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST) vehicle, a specially equipped 74-foot tractor-trailer. The vehicle is debuting for the 2014 Super Bowl, which will be played Sunday, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

“This supersized FAST vehicle allows us to better support big events that get a large volume of Gulfstream traffic,” said Mark Burns, president, Product Support, Gulfstream. “Its size alone enables us to put enough tools, parts and technicians on board to assist multiple operators simultaneously. With built-in features such as a generator, air compressor, satellite dish and Wi-Fi, and capacity to hold equipment as large as an auxiliary power unit, it is a service center on wheels.”

Using the capabilities of the FAST tractor-trailer, on-board technicians can perform:

• Line-service repairs
• Engine exchanges
• Post-flight and storage inspections
• Unscheduled inspections
• Cabin interior repairs

The tractor-trailer’s features include:

• Satellite dish
• On-board computer for technical data access
• Work stations with full capabilities
• Lounge/office
• Interior lighting, compressed air and HVAC powered by on-board generator
• Kitchen area with refrigerator and freezer

For the Super Bowl, Gulfstream’s new FAST vehicle is positioned at sister company Jet Aviation’s facility at New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport and will remain in place until Feb. 4. Gulfstream assigned four FAST technicians to the tractor-trailer and placed three others with a smaller FAST truck at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y. Three field service representatives will be available to assist customers at those airports and others nearby.

The Gulfstream FAST tractor-trailer is expected to support Gulfstream operators at approximately 20 events in 2014, including the Daytona 500 (Feb. 23) in Daytona Beach, FL, the Masters Tournament (April 10-13) in Augusta, GA, and the Gulfstream Operators and Suppliers Conference (June 8-12) in Savannah. “We are always looking for new ways to demonstrate our commitment to our customers,” Burns said. “This is the next step in our evolution as the top product support organization in business aviation.”

Gulfstream FAST combines an airborne unit with on-the-road vehicles. FAST missions include assisting customers in aircraft-on-ground situations.

The airborne group features two dedicated G150 aircraft and more than 20 dedicated pilots and technicians. The rapid-response vehicle unit includes four specially outfitted trucks based in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston and New York areas. FAST also has more than 20 lighter duty trucks across the U.S. and Europe and dedicated technicians based in Europe. Gulfstream supported operators with two smaller FAST trucks at the NFL conference championship games Jan. 19 in Denver and Seattle.

(Image provided in Gulfstream news release)

FMI: www.gulfstream.com