Gulfstream Intro's Large-Cabin, Long-Range G450 BizJet
Gulfstream has
introduced its newest business jet, the large-cabin, long-range
Gulfstream G450. The G450 is an entire aircraft upgrade of an
already outstanding business jet -- the Gulfstream GIV/GIV-SP/G400,
the best-selling business jet in its class, with 500 aircraft built
and sold between 1982 and 2002. The GIV entered service in June,
1987 and in December 2002, the last GIV was "rolled out" and the
manufacturing line was transitioned to produce the Gulfstream G300
and G400.
From the exterior, the discerning observer of the G450 will note
the repositioning of the main entrance door and the slightly longer
fuselage than that of the GIV/G400. Inside the aircraft, all of the
systems in the G450 have been modified to improve safety, passenger
comfort and pilot efficiencies.
The G450 outperforms the G400 with a 250-nautical mile
additional range capability and improved hot-day and high-elevation
takeoff performance. G450 owners, operators, pilots and passengers
familiar with the G400 will immediately see and feel the difference
provided by the extra 12 inches in the fuselage and changes in the
interior arrangement. Inside the cockpit, the flight crew will
discover a working environment designed for safety and efficiency
with the state-of-the-art PlaneView(TM) cockpit, a fully integrated
flight deck that is more advanced than anything found on competing
aircraft. In addition the crew will enjoy 30 percent more work
space. With Gulfstream's signature Cursor Control Device and large,
easy-to-read displays, pilots will use point-and-click technology
to access the status of onboard systems or update flight
information. Those in the cabin will experience a significant
increase in the level of comfort, as a result of improved
temperature control and cabin pressure systems.
"The G450 incorporates the most advanced avionics, cockpit
displays, aircraft systems, aerodynamic enhancements and flight
safety features, and retains the aesthetic design and signature
windows that have set Gulfstream aircraft apart from its
competition," said Bryan Moss, president, Gulfstream. "Every aspect
of the new Gulfstream G450 was designed for safety, performance,
reliability and comfort."
Gulfstream expects to begin G450 customer deliveries during the
second quarter of 2005. Based on the aircraft development schedule,
Gulfstream expects to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Type Certification in the third quarter of 2004 and validation by
the European Aviation Safety Authority in the fourth quarter of
2004.
For the past two years, Gulfstream has been developing two
business jets concurrently: the G450 and the large-cabin,
ultra-long-range G550, which was certified by the FAA in August
this year. Following the creation of a G550 prototype in 2001,
Gulfstream immediately began work on the G450, dubbed "GIV- X" at
the time. The first G450 test aircraft completed its first flight
on April 30th. Since then, three additional aircraft have entered
the flight test program. Together, the four aircraft have completed
58 test flights and have flown more than 150 hours with G450 test
pilots and engineers testing the new onboard systems and the
PlaneView flight deck. All major system development testing has
been successfully completed and FAA Certification tests
started.
The PlaneView Cockpit
Initially developed for the G550 / G500, the PlaneView cockpit
was chosen for the G450 because of its distinction as the most
advanced flight deck available in commercial aviation today.
Developed by Gulfstream, PlaneView is the product of years of
experience in developing cutting-edge technology for improved pilot
situational awareness and safety.
An integrated avionics suite, PlaneView features four large
14-inch liquid crystal displays in landscape format -- the first
cockpit to incorporate this type of display. The unique
implementation of Honeywell's Primus Epic(R) architecture and
display system provides substantially more display area than
previous six-display designs while reducing the overall volume and
weight of the equipment. The PlaneView flight deck, which
incorporates elegant human interface design, is a clean, flexible
and concise system of flight, navigation and system displays. The
pilot's scan of the expansive display area finds flight and
navigation data in logical and familiar locations, resulting in
increased situational awareness and reduced workload.
PlaneView includes the first fully synchronous triple Flight
Management System (FMS). Using the Gulfstream signature Cursor
Control Device (CCD), another first of its kind, pilots can
integrate the FMS and the display map, producing true graphical
flight planning. The integrated navigation map displays the flight
plan along with terrain, airways, airports, navigational aids and
radar data. The CCD also provides the natural interface for display
selection, configuration, checklist and other functions. For pilots
who prefer direct interface with flight controls, they can opt for
traditional dedicated controls that have been retained.
Visual Guidance System (VGS) and Enhanced Vision System
(EVS)
In addition to impressive head-down displays, PlaneView
incorporates the latest in Head-Up Display (HUD) technology with
the next generation Visual Guidance System. The information and
guidance cues provided by the VGS allow the pilot to easily control
the aircraft without the need to look down at the instrument panel.
Not just an additional primary flight display, VGS displays images
from the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS), the first of its
kind to receive FAA certification, and is standard equipment on the
G450.
The advanced infrared imaging technology of the EVS is specially
tuned to the frequency of runway lights for approach, but also
provides rendering of the surrounding environment. With EVS, pilots
have a clear picture of runway markings, taxiways and the landscape
in poor weather and at night for greater situational awareness,
reduced minimums, and prevention of Controlled Flight Into Terrain
(CFIT). The EVS has been recognized with multiple aviation industry
awards for its dramatic safety advancement.
New Systems and Increased Reliability
With the G450, Gulfstream has made a reliable aircraft even more
reliable. While it's hard to beat the GIV's 99.7 percent dispatch
reliability rating, Gulfstream has every intention of doing so by
addressing and upgrading those systems that historically have
required the most attention in the service hangar.
The G400 Electrical Power System is replaced with a more capable
and reliable system proven on the GV/G550. Two 40kVA Integrated
Drive Generators and a 40kVA APU Generator provide a significant
improvement in electrical power capacity, no-break power transfer
capability, and added redundancy for safe, reliable operation.
A new version of the Honeywell 36-150 APU provides improved
reliability for engine starting, better performance for cabin
temperature control, and improved high altitude electrical power
capacity. The 36-150 is ramp- friendly, with exterior noise levels
greatly reduced from the G400.
The new dual-pack Environmental Control System, based on the
G550 air cycle machines and 3-zone digital cabin temperature
control provides greater heating and cooling capacity for crew and
passenger comfort.
A new G550 style passive door seal and dual digital cabin
pressurization system provides added redundancy and safety, while
reducing the maximum cabin altitude from 6500 ft to 6000 ft for
added passenger comfort.
The new digital Engine Vibration Monitor card is integrated into
the Primus Epic Modular Avionics Unit, providing additional
automated engine balancing features, and interface with the
PlaneView Maintenance Computer and Displays.
Performance
Rolls-Royce has developed an
improved Tay engine, designated the Tay 611- 8C, which produces
13,850 pounds of thrust and was certified in December 2002 by the
LBA. It is manufactured by Rolls-Royce Deutschland in Germany. This
engine features a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC),
improved larger diameter fan, modified high pressure turbine and
new bypass/core mixer. These improvements have resulted in reduced
fuel burn, increased operating margins, increased thrust for
improved takeoff and climb performance, and extension of
maintenance intervals to 6,000 hours midlife and 12,000 hours for
full overhaul.
The Tay 611-8C engine, in combination with the new composite,
single- pivot, fixed-nozzle (G550 style) thrust-reverser system
from Nordam, and a series of aerodynamic improvements, extends the
G450 range to 4,350 nautical miles at .80 Mach. That's Dallas to
Paris on a hot day with eight passengers aboard. Additionally, the
G450 can climb to an initial cruise altitude of 41,000 feet in just
23 minutes and take off from a 5,450-foot runway with a full load
of fuel and eight passengers onboard.
Roomier Cockpit / Enhanced Cabin Environment
With the PlaneView flight deck came smaller avionics components
that took up less space. One foot longer than the GIV/G400/G300
cockpit, the G450 cockpit has the increased comfort and usable
workspace of the G550/G500 cockpit. Additionally, Gulfstream
relocated avionics equipment forward of the cabin door to improve
access to the cabin and create more usable space for passengers.
With three distinct living areas, the G450 provides seating for up
to 14 passengers and comes fully appointed.
G450 passengers, especially those on long intercontinental
flights, will appreciate the relaxing cabin atmosphere with three
temperature zones, ample light streaming through 12 heated
signature oval windows and 100 percent fresh air.
Commonality with the Gulfstream G550
The G450 shares many of the same aircraft systems with
Gulfstream's ultra- long-range G550 cockpit displays, ECS packs,
pressurization system, electrical power, ECS, nose landing gear,
nose wheel steering, oxygen and fire extinguishing systems -- just
to name a few. Because these common systems are made up of
identical parts, a corporation operating a fleet that includes both
the G450 and G550 aircraft can reduce the number of spare parts in
its inventory, and thus reduce its operational and maintenance
training costs.
Additionally, the G450 pilot type rating is expected to be the
same as the G550 pilot type rating with a minimal amount of
additional training on the different engine models.
Airborne Product Support
Gulfstream's industry-exclusive Airborne Product Support(TM) is
available to G450 customers. Launched in May 2002, Airborne Product
Support features a dedicated mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream
G100(TM) jet that can deliver flight-essential parts and/or
technicians to warrantied Gulfstream customers in North America and
the Caribbean.