Gulfstream has always been a name to recon with in the Business Jet scene and now the just reaffirms its position on the top with a phenomenal offering – The Gulfstream G650.
Though developments had started back in 2005, Gulfstream officially announced the G650 in 2008 with features that will give its competition many sleepless nights.
The Gulfstream is capable of cruising at Mach 0.85 at over 51,000 ft over land and has a maximum non-stop range of 7,000 Nautical Miles. Also, the maximum specified speed for the G650 is Mach 0.925, which is almost the sounds speed and if any other sub sonic private jet that can come near those figures is the Cessna Citation X with a max speed of Mach 0.92 i.e. 0.005 slower than the Gulfstream. A service ceiling of 51,000 ft assures the Gulfstream G650 flies well over the crowded space. The G650 uses Rolls-Royce BR725 series engines for a silent more economic and well as powerful experience.
Gulfstream claims the empty weight of the G650 to be less than 10,000 pounds with a take off distance of 6000 ft and landing distance of 3000 ft. This makes G650 capable of operating from the smaller (not so busy) airports worldwide. Gulfstream has gone against tradition for designing the fuselage and instead of a regular circular structure has opted for a oval fuselage with four distinct radii, also breaking from the current trend of making the fuselage with composite materials, Gulfstream uses metal to do so, with composites being applied on the engine cowlings, winglets etc. The entire fuel in the G650 will be housed in its wings.
The Gulfstream G650 is a delight for its passengers with hi-tech entertainment features, wireless internet and satellite phones. The G650 will maintain a cabin altitude of 2,765 feet when flying as 41,000 ft the typical flying height and sets recorders by controlling the cabin altitude at 4,850 ft at its certified ceiling of 51,000 ft. The cabin has a stand-up height of 6 ft 5 inches and is 14 inches wider than the G550 cabin. Customers can choose from 12 different floor plans.
The Gulfstream G650 has bigger sized windows than every business jet available today and 18 such windows are allotted for each seat which are now wider and covers more area, thanks to the cabin space. Also, Gulfstream’s Cabin Essential Design Philosophy assures that there is no loss in cabin functionality due to any Single-point failure, meaning the bathroom flash, water and other entertainment features are always available which are much necessary for the long flights the Gulfstream G650 is capable of. The G650 also comes with a fully functional kitchen and a meal table.
There is lot for the pilots too. The G650 uses fly-by-wire to control the operations with the only other jet using the same is the Dassault Falcon 7X. The jet’s Planeview II™ cockpit is equipped with Triplex Flight Management System, 3 Dimensional weather radar, Emergency Automatic Decent along with other advanced features. Gulfstream uses Kollsman (EVS II) and Honeywell (SV-PFD) in the G650 cockpit which helps the pilots to get a superior vision of the approaching obstacles and the terrain even in adverse weather conditions.
To summarize the Gulfstream G650 is an astonishing example of superior technology, super fast private jet performance along with a terrific range of 7000 NMI. Gulfstream hopes to complete both FAA and EAA certification by 2011 and deliveries should start in 2012. Gulfstream warranty will offer support to customers spread over 6 continents, easing the ownership experience for the super busy customers who could afford the S 60 million flying palace.
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