Gulfstream Aerospace could evolve into a comprehensive "transportation services company" within the next ten years as its push to become an aftermarket maintenance powerhouse gathers momentum.

A key part of this plan is to ensure availability for Gulfstream owners when their aircraft are grounded, whether for maintenance, pilot training or any other reason.

"First we fixed dispatch reliability, and now we'll improve overall availability," said Gulfstream president and CEO Bill Boisture, speaking at Farnborough. "Floater airplanes are something that could be put into this system, but not immediately."

Gulfstream says it's trimmed six weeks off the 12 months normally required to complete new aircraft, by "moving some completion tasks back to green aircraft." The company now owns 30% of the Gulfstream maintenance market.

Gulfstream's Dallas, Texas completions center (formerly K-C Aviation) recently won FAA approval to certify its own work, and painting operations are gathering pace at its Long Beach, California completions center.

General Dynamics bought Gulfstream a year ago, and the company appears to be earning its keep. Gulfstream's total revenues are up 16% compared to the second quarter of 1999, while earnings jumped 30% during the same period.

By Paul Richfield