Unveiling the Gulfstream G600-G500 Series
You spoke, and they have delivered. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has been engaged in an extended timeline of revisions to the preeminent new family of private business jets in the Gulfstream G500 and G600 models. Production of both aircraft designs were announced previously in October of 2014. Since then, the Gulfstream G600 in particular has undergone radical revisions to the cabin’s prototype display, as a completely re-imagined mock-up had been revealed at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition as of November 2015. Interior Design Director Tray Crow explained the impact of customer and patron insight influencing the redesigning process of this mock-up, which highlights improvements in cabin length, configuration options and ample communication optimizations.
Courtesy of aviationweek.com
How does it compare with the original flagship model, the Gulfstream G650? It can be best described as an evolution of its predecessor, with a strong resemblance in exterior appearance but a myriad of interior and aeronautic functional developments. The former Gulfstream model endorsed Rolls-Royce, having outfitted the G650 with a pair of Rolls-Royce BR725 Turbofan engines, but the new models make a significant change with Pratt and Whitney Canada engines. Coupled with the sleek, thinner wing design, these engines feature impressive reduction in noise and emissions to impart a major efficiency boost in the new models. These revisions do not sacrifice the most important industry-leading specifications of the jet, maintaining the lead with 4,800 nm/8,890 km cruise-range at Mach 0.90. Of course, as with the G650, the maximum operating speed still soars at Mach 0.925.
Within the interior of the newly envisioned G600 mock-up lies extravagant space and accessibility. Four living areas, uninterrupted satellite communication and high-speed internet, refined cabin lighting, central air conditioning and entertainment are just some of the important amenities, all which can be customized and manually configured by passengers through digital touchscreen control. The panoramic windows are wider than the G650 and also feature controllable shades. Perhaps the most integral interior revision is brought home in the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck. Newly developed active-control sidekicks, 10 integrated touchscreen management systems strategically placed around the cabin, and Honeywell Symmetry avionics.
Still providing suitable accommodations for 19 passengers and 10 sleeping arrangements, these sophisticated additions were intended by General Dynamics CEO Phebe Novakovic to be a diversification of options for customers, rather than a replacement of the G450-550 models. Currently the G500 and G600 models are in the process of finalizing their certification, anticipated for 2017 and 2018 respectively. Active service for each model will be initiated the year immediately following certification. However, patrons will not have to wait in order to experience the business jet forerunner’s next generation, as Gulfstream has already announced that a G600 will be touring the United States this summer, stopping in major cities such as (but not limited to) Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA, and Dallas, TX. Schedule a visit to the Gulfstream G600 travelling expedition after reviewing their published continental itinerary at Gulfstream.
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