NBAA 2014: Gulfstream introduces two new models: G500 and G600 are first Gulfstream large-cabin business jets with P&WC engines.

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA – Gulfstream on Tuesday unveiled two new family members — the G500 and G600 — in a ceremony at the company’s Savannah, GA (SAV) headquarters. The announcement was made in front of a 3,000-strong audience composed of company employees, customers, suppliers, city and state officials, and members of the media.

The ceremony, hosted by Gulfstream President Larry Flynn and General Dynamics Chairman & CEO Phebe Novakovic, included the unveiling of a full-scale G600 mock-up and culminated in the first G500 aircraft taxiing up under its own power.

 

At the same time, Gulfstream revealed North American fractional provider Flexjet and Qatar Airways subsidiary Qatar Executive as launch customers for the G500. Flexjet Chairman Kenn Ricci later signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the purchase of up to 50 Gulfstream aircraft. This includes firm orders and options for G500s, G450s, and G650s. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker also signed an MOU covering the purchase of up to 20 aircraft, including orders and options for a mix of G500s and G650ERs.

Gulfstream’s figures for the G500 give a projected range of 5,000 nm at Mach 0.85, or 3,800 nm at Mach 0.90. The G600 will be capable of flying 6,200 nm at Mach 0.85, or 4,800 nm at Mach 0.90. Maximum operating speed for both aircraft is Mach 0.925 — the same as for the G650/G650ER — with cruise altitudes of FL410 to 510.

Pilot workload and safety of flight have been given much thought. The Gulfstream Symmetry flight deck is based on Honeywell’s Primus Epic and brings full three-axis FBW with active control sidesticks — a first for business aviation — and a total of 10 touchscreen displays. Gulfstream’s third-generation EVS comes as standard, together with SV-PFD and HUD II.

The G500 and G600 will carry up to 19 passengers in three and (up to) four zones, respectively. The cabin of both types is wider and taller than that of the G450/G550 — finished interior cross section is 91 inches wide by 74 inches high — providing what Senior VP Worldwide Sales and Marketing Scott Neal describes as G650-style cabin comfort. Also contributing to passenger and flight crew comfort and alertness, the G500 and G600 feature a cabin altitude of 4,850 ft at FL510, and 100% fresh air.

 

Both aircraft have forward and aft lavs, plus a full-size galley that can be located either forward or aft. The baggage compartment provides 175 cubic feet of usable space.

 

To power the G500 and G600, Gulfstream selected the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 series turbofan. This marks a significant change for Gulfstream, which has traditionally favored Rolls-Royce powerplants for its large-cabin aircraft. The G500 will be powered by two PW814GA turbofans, rated at 15,144 lb (takeoff thrust) apiece; the G600 will use two PW815GAs, rated at 15,680 lb each.

 

In another shift from recent practice, Gulfstream is bringing the manufacture of wings for the G500 and G600 in-house. Spirit AeroSystems and Triumph Group supply the wings for Gulfstream’s other large-cabin business jets. G500/G600 manufacture and assembly will take place in a newly constructed facility at SAV.

 

Gulfstream has set the price of a new G500 at $43.5 million (plus options and escalation), says Neal. The G600 is priced at $54.5 million (again, plus options and escalation).

 

Members of Gulfstream’s Advanced Technology Customer Advisory Team (ATCAT) were involved in G500/G600 development from 2008 onward. Flynn emphasizes the fact that, from the very beginning, Gulfstream sought to encompass speed, wide-cabin comfort, efficiency, safety, and best-in-class performance within the design criteria.

 

First to fly will be the G500, probably early next year. According to Gulfstream’s projected timeline, certification will take place in 2017, followed by customer deliveries the following year. The G600 is scheduled to fly in 2017, with certification due in 2018. Entry into service is expected in 2019.

 

Characterized by Gulfstream as an all-new family, the G500 and G600 — alias GVII (G500) and GVII (G600) — are additions to Gulfstream’s large-cabin portfolio and will not replace any existing models. The two will share a common type rating.

 

 

 

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