Gulfstream Introduces Its New Flagship - the G700

As expected, Gulfstream Aerospace unveiled its newest model yesterday at the NBAA convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Formally named GVIII-G700, it is being marketed as the G700. Although its advertised range (7,500NM @ M.85 or 6,400NM @ M.90) is the same as that of the G650ER, industry sources have suggested that after the flight test program its range capability may match or slightly exceed the 7,700NM range of Bombardier's Global 7500.
The G700 has design features that set it apart from the company's current flagship. These include:
- a 10-foot-longer fuselage that will enable another cabin zone (four vs the three on a G650ER) in addition to a dedicated crew rest station;
- ten vs eight cabin windows per side;
- Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines that will each provide up to 18,250 lbs. of thrust, or 8% more than the 16,900 lbs. produced by each of the G650ER's R-R BR725s;
-new curved winglets designed by Daher; and
- active-control sidesticks (like those on the smaller G500 and G600 models), instead of the traditional control yokes.
After the Pearl 700 engines have been certified, the first G700 is expected to fly during the first half of next year. Post certification, entry into service should be during 2022. Thanks to its order for 10 units of the US$75 million machine, Qatar Executive W.L.L. of Doha is the G700's launch customer. Flexjet, LLC, with its impressive US$1.2 billion order for 16 G700s, will be the first North American fleet operator of the eighth generation Gulfstream.


Photo courtesy of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation

Round-up 21/5

G280 N978GA (2178) ferried Tel Aviv to Stansted on the 14th. G550 N223A (5583) delivered to Houston on the 16th. A couple of potential G650 first flights with N690GA (6390) on the 16th and N691GA (6391) on the 19th. New upgrades to G650ER this period were 6365, 6378 and 6382. Gulfstream report that G600  certification is hopefully not far off. See gulfstreamnews.com Also European certification at about the same time meaning deliveries to Europe can commence.

Sad news that a classic Gulfstream crashed in Guatemala on the 18th. Details at aviation-safety.net which should get updated as info is received. Drug running looks like the most likely scenario.

N213X pictured at Shannon in 2010 (via Flightaware)

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

EBACE 2018 Report

Just returned from the annual EBACE at Geneva. The full Gulfstream range was on view. Highlight was the arrival of the new G600 making it's European debut. It was caught arriving on the Friday evening by Gilles Brion.

The first G600 seen in Europe

The full line-up was as follows; N280GL G280 (2105), N505GD G500 (72005), N600G G600 (73005), N550GA G550 (5556) and N650GA G650ER (6275). Hard to believe the 550 is the oldest model in the line now.

The 4 big boys on display at Geneva this year



Round-up 17/10

A fairly quiet week but possibly to be expected with the NBAA going on. Talking of which, the full range was on show, as you'd expect. G650ER, G600, G550, G500 and G280. An 18th G500 added to the register and the 300th G650 received a reservation (N476V). G650 N251TD (6116) cancelled to the Caymans on the 11th and G280 N131GA (2131) ferried Tel Aviv to Stansted on the 16th.

G600 N600G debuts at the Las Vegas NBAA (via GAC)



5th G600 flies

G600 N600G (73005) flew for the first time from Savannah yesterday to become the 5th G600 to join the flight-test fleet. There are now 10 G500/G600s clocking up hours in the test program. Full story at gulfstreamnews.com

via GAC



Round-up 27/6

The 21st was a busy day with G650 N666FH (6249) being delivered from Savannah to Aarhus in Denmark. It then continued to Beijing on the 23rd. G650 N650AJ was delivered from Savannah to Long Island (ISP). G600 N740GD (73004) made it's 1st flight to become the 4th of this model to fly. See pic below. The Polish AF G550 0001 (5547) arrived at Warsaw on delivery to be met by a water cannon salute. Lots of pics and videos on the net but this was my favourite. Youtube Video G650 M-VITB (6250) arrived at Bournemouth-Hurn on delivery on the 24th to replace M-VITA. Finally, it looks like G650 N766GA (6166) which was delivered in March 2016 and put up for sale has gone in to service as this appears to be operating EJM949 from Oakland to Luton as I type.

picture via GAC



3rd G600 flies

The 3rd G600 N730GD (73003) took it's first flight yesterday at Savannah. Less than 5 months after the flight of the first one. Full story at gulfstreamnews.com

via GAC



2nd G600 flies

The 2nd G600 N720GD (73002) made it's first flight yesterday from Savannah just 10 weeks after the prototype first flew. Used the callsign "Gulf Test 67". Full details at gulfstreamnews.com/

picture via GAC



G600 makes it's first flight

The first G600 (N600G) has just taken to the air from Savannah. Took off at 1350EST as Gulf Test 11 and returned 2 hours and 53 minutes later. See gulfstreamnews.com

picture via Gulfstream Aerospace

G600 nears first flight

The first G600 N600G (73001) has been moved to the Flight Test Centre at Savannah and the maiden flight is hoped to be completed "soon". See www.gulfstreamnews.com

picture via Gulfstream Aerospace



1st G600 registered

The first G600 has recently appeared on the US register as N600G with a construction number of 73001.

image via Gulfstream Aerospace

With G500 cons in the 72*** range, one wonders if GAC have plans for the 71*** range?

First G600 takes shape

Gulfstream announced yesterday that the first G600 fuselage was mated with it's wing. See gulfstreamnews.com

picture via Gulfstream Aerospace



New models announced today

Gulfstream have today announced 2 new models at Savannah. The G500 and G600. See gulfstreamnews.com
See the video of the presentation at Youtube

picture courtesy of Gulfstream Aerospace

For the first time, Gulfstream have moved away from engine supplier Rolls Royce and will use Pratt & Whitney PW800s. The G600 will have a range of 6200nm (G550 = 6000nm). The G500 will have a range of 5000nm (G450 = 4200nm). Other major change is no yoke, just a sidestick control. G500 N500GA was introduced to the press today.

Qatar Aw have signed a MoU for up to 20 G500 and G650ER. See gulfstreamnews Flexjet have ordered up to 50 G450, G500 and G650. See gulfstreamnews

 

Deliveries of the G500 slated for 2018 with the G600 about a year later.

picture via AIN Online