Gulfstream Aerospace has announced plans to build a new, US$55m MRO facility on the east side of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The 202,000ft² (18,766m²) building will include customer support hangar space, offices and backshops, and will complement the main Gulfstream Savannah Service Center.
The facility is slated to open in the second quarter of 2019 and create about 200 jobs. The new Savannah location will offer services including AOG resources, hourly and calendar-driven airframe inspections, avionics installations and interior refurbishments.
“This expansion of our customer service and support organization is the result of the strong and steady fleet growth we’ve had for several years and the arrival of the Gulfstream G500 and G600 in the coming months,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “We’re also growing to meet customer needs in Appleton, Wisconsin and Van Nuys, California. These new facilities will keep us well-positioned for support, maintenance and refurbishment of the Gulfstream fleet, which is now at nearly 2,700 aircraft and continues to grow.”
The announcement was made at an event at Savannah Technical College’s Aviation Training Center. “Our Savannah expansion is also the direct result of our strong partnership with Savannah Technical College,” said Burns. “The school’s aviation programs, which have provided us with more than 500 knowledgeable and skilled employees over nearly 20 years and continue to grow, will help us meet the workforce needs this expansion creates. We are proud to continue our work together to provide outstanding training and careers in a dynamic industry that’s essential to the economy in Savannah and throughout our great state.”
Savannah Technical College’s aviation technology division offers associate degree, diploma and certificate programs in aircraft structural technology and aviation maintenance, including airframe and powerplant specialisms. The aviation maintenance technology program is certified by the FAA. The college’s nearly 30,000ft² (2,787m²) aviation training center at its Crossroads campus near Gulfstream includes labs, classrooms and a 5,000ft² (465m²) hangar. Students also benefit from hands-on training with resources donated by Gulfstream, including a G100 business jet that the college has used since June 2014.
“Gulfstream is the reason Savannah Technical College is able to provide quality aerospace-related programs for our students and a highly skilled workforce for our region,” said Dr Kathy Love, president, Savannah Tech. “Thank you, Gulfstream, for your confidence in Savannah Tech and in our graduates. We congratulate you on your past and future successes in the great state of Georgia.”
April 27, 2018
