Press Release

Issued by General Atomics AeroTec Systems.

May 20, 2014

Delivering safety and shelter in emergency situations, functioning life rafts are essential aboard all aircraft. Committed to maximising passenger and crew safety in the event of emergency water landings, RUAG Aviation is newly an authorised service centre for UTC Aerospace Systems / Winslow (USA) life rafts for business jets.

RUAG Aviation's life raft services are performed at its facility in Munich-Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. Its portfolio encompasses an assessment of the life raft equipment inventory, the replacement of defective and expired items, functionality checks of the life raft – including all valves – as well as the reprogramming of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) in case of changes in the aircraft's registration. Maintenance on the first life raft was successfully carried out in April 2014.

A diverse array of equipment is contained in each life raft. In addition to a comprehensive first aid kit and food rations, an emergency locator transmitter (ELT), a desalination device for converting salt water into drinking water and a flare gun and beacon are stocked on board. Available in 46 different sizes, the largest of the life rafts is able to shelter up to 22 people.

The life rafts made by UTC Aerospace Systems / Winslow (USA) are primarily used in Bombardier, Gulfstream, Embraer and Dassault business jets.