Gulfstream’s New G500 Business Jet Launches World Tour
The all-new Gulfstream G500 business twinjet that is replacing Gulfstream Aerospace’s 16-passenger G450 model has embarked on a 12-city world tour to give current and potential Gulfstream owners an up-close view of the aircraft. Gulfstream, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, is touting the G500 as ushering in a new generation of business aviation, including for its use of advanced technology. With type certification expected this year, the G500’s tour kicked off earlier in January at Dallas Love Field Airport in Dallas, Texas. Gulfstream has produced 2,800-plus aircraft since launching in 1958 with models for sale including the G280, G450, G550, G650, and G650ER.
Next Stop: Atlanta
With the tour slated to run through June, Gulfstream is to bring the G500 to Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Moscow, Beijing, and Melbourne. In a statement, Mark Burns, Gulfstream president, noted 2018 should be a momentous year for the G500. “It’s an ideal time for customers to explore an aircraft that is already noted for its large, wide cabin; outstanding performance; and industry-leading technology,” he said. “It also gives us an opportunity to thoroughly test and examine the fully outfitted interior as we prepare for the G500’s service entry.”
Five G500 models are now undergoing flight testing for the aircraft, which Gulfstream introduced in 2014 and first flew in 2015. Like the G450 it is replacing, the G500 will provide owners and operators more range than Gulfstream originally anticipated, flying 5,200 nautical miles (9,630 kilometers) with eight passengers at a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85 vs. an original 5,000-nautical mile (9,260-kilometer) projected range at that speed.
Technically Advanced
Among other traits, the G500 will mark business aviation’s first use of active control sidesticks, according to Gulfstream. The aircraft will also include a Symmetry Flight Deck featuring 10 touchscreens, as well as Gulfstream’s third-generation Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System, Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display, and Head-Up Display II.
Elsewhere, the G500’s 7.11-foot (2.41-meter) wide by 6.4-foot (1.93-meter) high cabin will integrate 14 panoramic windows, seat up to 19 passengers and sleep up to eight, and provide 100% fresh air that’s replenished every 2 minutes in the cabin.
In terms of performance, the G500 offers a 4,400-nautical mile (8.149-kilometer) range at its top Mach 0.90 cruise speed, which betters an original 3,800-nautical mile (7,038-kilometer) projection. With a maximum cruise altitude of 51,000 feet (15,544 meters), the G500 powers on two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW814GA engines while measuring 91.2 feet (28 meters) long and spanning 86.4 feet (26.3 meters) across.
Source: Gulfstream Aerospace