Round-up 2/4

End of quarter proved fairly busy. First off though, to complete the previous post re Enterprise G500s. N628GD did indeed take up N56EL as predicted. G650 deliveries this period included N650GB (6351) which was delivered from Appleton to Stewart (home of American Express) on the 29th although returned shortly after to Appleton. On the same day, N887WM (6357) was delivered via Boise to Bill Gates to become his 2nd. Finally, G-VIOF (6355) delivered Appleton to Bristol on the 30th to become the 3rd for James Dyson. G650 N653GA (6353) was cancelled to Austria on the 29th as OE-LLL. Delivery is imminent if not already,
G550 N772BE (5582) delivered on the 28th and appears to be based between Dulles and Harrisburg PA.
First pictures of G500 N100JS (72023) are appearing following the arrival at Rotterdam on the 31st. Thanks to Frank de Koster for the lovely shot below.

Round-up 26/3

G650 9H-OKO (6356) delivered to Malta as EMM011 on the 21st. Also this day, G650 N390ER (6358) was delivered to Stewart NY. Future G650 demonstrator N674GA (6374 N650ER res) flew from Savannah to Appleton the same day for completion. G550 N592GA (5592) appears to have made a first flight from Savannah on the 22nd. Also of interest on the 22nd, G500 N202KR did test flights from Savannah using the new registration which was taken up on the register that night. This is believed to be replacing G450 N450KR (4044). Actually departed Savannah on delivery on the 24th flying to Naples FL before continuing on to Washington DCA. G280 N274GA (2174) ferried Tel Aviv to Stansted on the 25th.
Back at "work" now and caught this new G550 at Luton on Sunday.

Round-up 20/3

A day late this week as haven't been well.
G500 N100JS (72023) delivered to Morristown on the 12th to become the 14th delivery of the type. G280 N473GA (2173) ferried Tel Aviv to Stansted on the 17th. G550 N37NG (5580) delivered to Dulles on the 18th. G650 N656GA (6356) ferried Long Beach to Savannah on the 18th. Cancelled to Malta the following day and is believed to be taking up 9H-OKO. Latest G650ER on the register is 6355.

N656GA at Long Beach by Michael Carter

Round-up 12/3

A busy week started with G280 N272GA (2172) ferrying Tel Aviv to Stansted on the 5th and becoming the 3rd one through this Essex airport in 6 days. Also that day, G650 N677GA (6377) ferried Savannah to Long Beach as GLF62. Managed to miss N654GA (6354) going in the opposite direction on the 3rd. This then cancelled to China that night and left Savannah on the 8th heading to Anchorage. It then continued on to Tianjin, China the following day. G650 N350GD (6350) flew Long Beach to Savannah on the 6th and cancelled to Malta as 9H-CAA on the 7th. Delivered overnight 10th/11th to Luqa in Malta. G550 N591GA (5591) appears to have made a first flight on the 6th from Savannah as GLF93. A first at my local as G500 A7-CGP arrived at Luton on the 6th to become the first G500 to visit here. Hopefully the first of many. G500 N924JE (72024) was delivered from Savannah on the 8th to become the 13th delivery. It routed to Springfield MO via Olathe KS. 6351 upgraded to G650ER.
The 400th post to this blog. Many thanks to the team.

Stunning scheme on this G4 at Luton recently. Pic by Dave Lythgoe

Canadian Gulfstreams - Part 5

Until 1995, corporations and governments that required an aircraft capable of flying more than 5,000NM non-stop had to use modified airliners. The first purpose built business aircraft with such an extensive range was the Gulfstream V. It first flew on November 28, 1995 and could fly 6,500NM while cruising en route at Mach .80. That was a 54% improvement over the Gulfstream IV/IV-SPs' range of 4,220NM at M.80. Bombardier's entry into the ultra long range competition, the Global Express, first flew on October 13, 1996. It also offered a range of 6,500NM at M.80. Dassault later became the third player in the exclusive market niche with the first flight of its Falcon 7X on May 5, 2005. It could fly 5,950NM at M.80.

Since then, all three airframers have introduced variants of these models. They tend to feature slightly improved range and speed capabilities. Gulfstream's G550 flies 6,750NM at M.80. Bombardier's Global 6000 (originally named Global Express XRS) flies 6500NM at M.82, while the slightly shorter Global 5000 flies 5,200NM at M.85. Finally, Dassault's Falcon 8X flies 6,450NM at M.80.

The first Canadian fifth generation Gulfstream was a new G550 (c/n 5230, C-GNDN) that was delivered to a family in Calgary in June 2009. It became C-GXDN in January 2015, then was exported in January 2016. The second one to join the CCAR was a Gulfstream V (c/n 692, C-GLFV) that arrived at its Toronto base in November 2009. The appropriately registered airplane still wore its original Toyota Motor livery.

In March 2011, another new G550 (c/n 5306, C-GBGC) was delivered to a major gold miner in Toronto. Later reregistered as   C-GGPM, it remains with the same operator today. Subsequently, three previously owned units have joined the Canadian corporate fleet. They are c/n 641, C-GUGU in Vancouver; c/n 5283, C-GMCR in Calgary; and c/n 5491, C-GLFG also in Calgary.

As has been the case with the fourth generation Gulfstreams, the fifth generation models have had a difficult time penetrating the Canadian market. The favourite type within this exclusive niche is the Bombardier Global family that is produced in Toronto. Today, the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register shows that Canadian corporations (excluding Bombardier) operate 29 Globals, eight Falcon 7Xs, two Gulfstream Vs and three Gulfstream G550s.

C-GLFV, the penultimate Gulfstream V. Photo by Frederick K. Larkin

G550s C-GBGC and C-GNDN by Bob Holland

Gulfstream in Uniform : Part VI

Gulfstream V/550 : Electronic warfare

Gulfstream and IAI rolled out the first Gulfstream V "Shavit" in early 2005, this was followed with an official hand over to the Israeli Air & Space Force (IASF) in June the same year. The conversion from a green Gulfstream V to a signal/intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft was taken up at IAI's Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport facility. Only three Gulfstream Vs undertook the conversion, all future projects were to be on the Gulfstream G550 airframe.

In September 2006 Gulfstream delivered the first of two G550s to Tel Aviv, this was to be the first  Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) aircraft that the IASF would be adding to the Shavit fleet. The new CAEW aircraft were locally designated the Eitam. All five aircraft are flown by the Nachshon squadron at Nevatim Airbase, Israeli have announced at least one more Eitam will join the fleet.

Singapore was to be the next Air arm to take delivery of a IAI's Gulfstream G550 based CAEW airframe. Four frames undertook conversion and fly with 111sq based at Tengah Air Base, deliveries started in 2008 and by 2010 they were fully operational. IAI provided Italy with two airframes, the deal which saw 30 M346 trainers going in the opposite direction to Israel was completed in 2016.

The Australian Government awarded L3 Technologies a contract for two Gulfstream 550s to be converted to electronic warfare support configuration, these are expected to be the first of five MC-55As that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will operate from RAAF Edinburgh.

The US Navy have recently announced that VX-30 at NAS Point Mugu, California will be operating a NC-37B for missile range support. Although N544GD is painted in full "Bloodhounds" markings it is expected to be some time in 2021 before it is flying in its full operational capability as 166379.

Not wanting to miss out on the Department of Defence (DOD) gravy train, BAE Systems has partnered with L3 Technologies to integrate the Compass Call system from a Lockheed EC-130H into the Gulfstream EC-37B. the Electronic Warfare system could see as many at 14 EC-37Bs required to replace the ageing Hercules based at Davis Monthan, Arizona.

As the Gulfstream G550 nears its conclusion, we could certainly see some of the final frames being used for a number of roles that will see them wearing military uniform.

Photo by Ian Harding

Photo by Bob Holland

Round-up 26/2

Chevron's latest G650 N1895T left Bradley on the 19th and was delivered to Oakland (it's base) via Hammond LA and Houston TX. Also this day, G500 N534GD (72034) appears to have made it's first flight on the 19th and is the highest (tracked) one to have flown to date. G650 N675GS (6375) ferried from Savannah to Long Beach on the 23rd as GLF14. See that G550 N517QS (5209) now has N517TW reserved. Perhaps Mister Woods no longer wishes to arrive in anonymity.
A 3rd Qatar Executive G500 is on delivery as I type. A7-CGR (72021) left Savannah last night and is currently heading to Farnborough. I show this as the 11th G500 delivery and the 1st this year.

Perhaps a new scheme as well as a new registration soon?

Round-up 19/2

G650 N652GD (6352) flew from Long Beach to Savannah on the 12th. It was cancelled to the Czech Republic (as was expected) to OK-VEA and then delivered overnight 18th/19th from Savannah to Prague as ABP941. G450 M-AAMM took up OE-ITC.  G550 M-UGIC (5406) took up EI-EGO and was delivered from Stansted to Shannon on the 14th. Looks like G550 N590GA (5590) did a first flight from Savannah on the 14th. G650 N1895T positioned to Bradley on the 18th which is usually the last stop before delivery.
Info suggests that G500 N521GD is for Qatar. Their 3rd I assume. Did a nearly 9 hour test flight on the 16th.
On a personal note, I would usually be found in Florida at this time of year but unfortunately am not quite up to it. I'll therefore take us back to 2009 and one particular highlight.

Gulfstream in Uniform : Part V

Gulfstream V/G550 : VIP jets

With the introduction of the Gulfstream V, existing Gulfstream operators now had an opportunity to fly further and faster than ever before, this allowed air forces to have a jet that could not only carry VIPs with less stops in the finest of comfort but it also made way for a totally new platform to be created in the form of aerial surveillance, I will look into this in the next part of the Gulfstream V/G550 story.

The Gulfstream V took on the designation of C-37A, Gulfstream delivered the first frame to the US Air Force in 1997, another 9 airframes followed and were split across the USAF. These were used with continental, Pacific and European fleets. Both the US Army and US Navy also operated a small number of the C-37A.
As would be expected, the US Coast Guard also upgraded and took on a new build Gulfstream C-37A and took delivery in 2002, this was later complimented in 2017 with a secondhand G550 and designated C-37B.
The slight abbreviation of C-37B, was to be the designation for the Gulfstream G550 and all three services took on the type, the US Navy added three C-37Bs. While the US Army and US Air Force also still fly a small fleet of the C-37B.

Outside of the United States, Greece operate a Gulfstream V for VIP duties, while Turkey, Poland, Mexico and Sweden all have G550s in their Air Force inventories.

Not worthy of its own post just yet. Only one Gulfstream G650 so far has entered military service, Zambia took delivery of AF001 late in 2018. Although not having reached Zambia just yet, as it is currently in Basel, Switzerland having some aftermarket extras fitted, I doubt this will be the only military G650 though.

Both images by Westleigh Bushell

Round-up 5/2

Things picking up a little. G650 N305CC (6348) delivered Long Beach-Bradley-Fort Lauderdale on the 31st. 6362 upgraded to an ER. G550 N589GA (5589) appears to have made a first flight on the 1st as GLF29. Great to see G550 5597 set to be a demonstrator "suggesting" that GAC have customers up to at least 5596 meaning reaching the 600 mark is a distinct possibility. A few changes include G550 M-UGIC transferring to Ireland (no new reg known yet) although still appears to be at Stansted and newly delivered  G550 M-OPHS moving over to the Luxembourg register (again no new registration known). G650 N303HM (6345) flew Appleton to Savannah on the 3rd and then delivered to Denver CO on the 4th. Finally, certification of the G600 has slipped blamed partly on the US Government shutdown. Hoping to be completed by end of Q2. See www.flightglobal.com/

M-UGIC back in 2013 at Luton

Round-up 22/1

Another quiet week. G550 N588GA (5588) appears to have made it's first flight from Savannah on the 14th using the callsign GLF74. G280 N267GA (2167) ferried Tel Aviv to Stansted on the 15th. G650 N1895T returned from Savannah to Long Beach on the 18th following a test flight. Whispers about the next generation of G280 are surfacing. See AINonline
G5 N514GV that I reported as cancelling to the Isle of Man is becoming a bit of a mystery. It has not appeared on their register and I've dropped them a line but to date have not heard back. I'm wondering if some tired unpaid FAA clerk has entered the wrong country. Have previously seen a G450 as cancelled to Australia that actually went to Austria. This suggests to me that it's a drop down list and the IoM may be an error for either Ireland or Israel. The latest Irish update as at 31st December shows nothing so it might have gone to Israel. Any better ideas most welcome.
With the World Economic Forum (WEF) starting today, am expecting a lot of Gulfstreams to be heading that way. Unfortunately, I'm not this year but wish those who go well.

The 2015 WEF at Zurich

Round-up 1/1

Happy New Year. More to report this week than I anticipated. The FAA register came back up on Thursday which has helped the cause. The previously mentioned N640GA (6340) cancelled to Bermuda on the 21st and took up VQ-BCT. This sounds like a replacement for VP-BCT but info received suggests it isn't. Former demonstrator N650ER (6306) was cancelled to Guernsey on the 27th but no new registration has come to light yet. G550 N584GA (5584) has been registered to L3 Communications suggesting this will be a special mission aircraft. G5 N514GV (514) cancelled to the IoM on the 28th. Again, no new registration yet. G280 N965GA finally left Luton on the 29th continuing it's flight to Halifax. New ERs this period were 6346 and 6358. Somewhat belatedly, Gulfstream have announced the delivery of the 2 Qatar G500s. See gulfstreamnews.com

via GAC

Round-up 18/12

A busy 7 days as Gulfstream try to get their delivery stats up. G550 N587GA (5587) appears to have made a first flight on the 11th from Savannah as GLF84. G650 N829AR (6338) ferried from Appleton to Savannah on the 11th and shortly after delivered to Washington Dulles. G650 VP-CSG (6085) returned to the US register as N608JG on the 11th. G650 N665GS (6365) ferried from Savannah to Long Beach on the 12th as GLF68. See pic below. G650 N988DJ (6143) cancelled to San Marino on the 12th and is believed to have taken up T7-ARN. G650 N557JF (6343) delivered from Savannah to Honolulu on the 13th, continuing on to Kunming, China via Guam. Another continuing delivery flight as G650 N9527C (6339) flew from Guam to Singapore Seletar on the 14th. G650 N235DX (6336) delivered from Bradley to Pittsburgh (as MLN235) on the 14th. G500 N261PC (72016) delivered from Savannah to Pittsburgh on the 14th to become the 5th delivery of type while G500 N5117 (72020) delivered from Savannah to Kansas City on the 16th and became the 6th. G500 N511GD (72011) cancelled from the US register to Qatar on the 14th and N515GD (72015) did the same on the 17th.

N665GS arriving at Long Beach by Michael Carter



Round-up 11/12

More catch up. G650 N93M (6333) appears to have delivered on the 29th although the register still shows this as a reservation. G550 N572GA (5572) cancelled to M-OPHS on the 6th, presumably a replacement for M-IPHS. G650 OE-LTF (6327) delivered overnight 8th/9th from Savannah to Ronaldsway IoM before continuing on to Vienna. G650 N555GA (6334) delivered Savannah-Philadelphia-Boeing Field on the 9th. Also this day, G280 N164GA (2164) ferried Tel Aviv to Stansted. Incidentally, today (11th) is the 9th anniversary of the first flight of the G280. G650 N298AL (6342) delivered Appleton to Oxford CT on the 10th. Just the 1 upgrade to G650ER to report, this being 6344.
Further to last weeks post, G650 N2437 was cancelled from the US register on the 4th. It was caught by Guernsey Airport Photography (link) shortly after painting.

1st Gulfstream on the new Irish Executive register



Round-up 4/12

Managed to miss one off last week. G550 N586GA (5586) appears to have made a first flight from Savannah on the 26th. G650 N9527C departed Long Beach for Savannah on the 27th. On the same day going in the opposite direction was G650 N663GD (6363) as GLF64. G280 N163GA (2163) ferried Tel Aviv to Stansted on the 29th. G650 N9527C (6339) delivered from Savannah on the 29th for Honolulu. It continued on to Guam on the 1st. Still there as I write this but it's believed that Hong Kong will be the final destination. G650 N2437 (6171) was re-registered as EJ-ADMI, the 1st Gulfstream on this new executive register, although the US register doesn't reflect this yet. G650 N650GF (6341) is fully painted up as a 650ER demonstrator but why GAC would use a GF suffix is a mystery. Good to see some more 550 reservations appearing (see right). On a personal note, all my recent Florida pics have been uploaded and am now working on getting Zenfolio up to date.

N9527C departing Long Beach on the 27th by Michael Carter



Round-up 12/11

A day early this week, for personal reasons. Looks like the "new" Flexjet G650 operated a first service from Cleveland to Orlando on the 6th as LXJ651 (although still there on the 12th). G550 N585GA (5585) appears to have made a first flight from Savannah on the 7th. The 3rd G500 was delivered on the 8th when N1980G (72013) flew from Savannah to Denver-Centennial. Joining (or replacing?) Challenger 300 N1980Z. You will already have read about the new British G650.
A really nice collection of Gee Two scans is being uploaded to Flickr and can be seen at Gulfstream 2 collection on Flickr I hope you like them as much as I do. Certainly brings back memories.

CF-SBR (009) at Edmonton (YXD)



Round-up 16/10

G550 N584GA (5584) looks to have done a first flight from Savannah on the 9th as GLF27. Slowly heading to the 600 built which would be quite an achievement. Another weather related evacuation as Hurricane Michael approached. Aircraft started moving to Huntsville AL on the 9th with the bulk positioning on the 10th. This latter group included G500 N509GD which is pictured below. They all returned to Savannah on the 12th. A picture has appeared of the new G650 N305CC confirming that Carnival Cruises are getting a new one. G280 (2151) cancelled to the Czech Republic as OK-RLV on the 11th.
Slightly off topic but bear with me. MGM, who are expecting to take delivery of their new G650 soon have just disposed of one of their Embraer Lineages. N730MM has become the first aircraft on the Irish corporate jet register as EJ-IOBN with Gainjet Ireland who also have a pair of Gulfstreams which may also move over to this new register in due course.
In a pre NBAA press conference at Orlando yesterday, Gulfstream announced that the range of the G600 has been increased again. Full details at www.gulfstreamnews.com

N509GD at Huntsville by Darren Metherell



Round-up 25/9

On the 21st, G650 N651GA (6351) flew from Savannah to Appleton as GLF47 while G550 N583GA (5583) looks to have made a first flight from Savannah that day. On the 22nd, G650 N652GD (6352) flew from Savannah to Long Beach as GLF92. Upgrades to G650ER were 6321 and 6324. As this is the last week of the quarter, hopefully a few deliveries will take place shortly. Gulfstream also hinted that the first G500 may be delivered at the end of Q3 but that may be wishful thinking. Can't be long though as the NBAA is only 3 weeks away and I'm sure they'll want to be able to have it done by then. They may also have another announcement then but I'll keep quiet for now.
Am still receiving regular photos for the Gulfstream photo site (link) with contributors from Long Beach, Van Nuys and Geneva as well as my local London airports. This one by Paul Suter certainly caught my eye.



Further to my earlier

A couple of updates to earlier posts worth highlighting here.
Further to my post of 27th June 2018 (link) a blog reader has kindly referred me to an item on the US Navy NC-37B (G550) at www.navair.navy.mil which includes a picture showing it carrying N544GD so is confirmed as 5544.

Further to my post of 20th August 2018 (link) trying to identify the cabin trainers at Long Beach, Eric the Pilot has sent me an earlier shot of the outside one showing a crest by the door. This suggests this may be the old Panamanian machine but any crest had certainly been painted out when it was seen in storage at St. Lucie. A pic of HP-1691 (link) active in 2011 shows no crest here. Could it possibly be an ex Mexican machine? Any help most welcome.

A very low definition pic but you get the idea

Update: Tony Dann has identified the crest as being on the Venezuelan G2 0004 (con 124). The fuselage was actually seen at Long Beach in 2007. See link to original picture It was rescued from the scrap man at Mojave and last carried N124TV.



Round-up 4/9

G650 N628GA (6328) ferried from Long Beach to Savannah on the 29th as GLF33. Cancelled to the Caymans on the 31st and is believed to be taking up VP-CHK. Looks like a first flight for G550 N582GA (5582) on the 31st as GLF88. Don't normally report G650 first flights but a notable one was N350GD on the 2nd as GLF46 which is the 350th G650. New ER this period was 6330. Nice to see a couple of new G500 reservations appear. See my list to the right.

N628GA was caught by Michael Carter at LGB last month