Gulfstream airplanes are jet models created specifically for business class flights. Their capacity is up to nineteen people. They are manufactured by the American company Gulf Stream Aerospace Corporation.
Development of the company
The company appeared in the late fifties of the last century. Its appearance is associated with the production of the first business-class aircraft, which was released by the company Grumman, engaged in the production of military aircraft. This model is called Grumman Gulfstream I (or Gulf Stream-1). This turboprop aircraft could carry twelve passengers, flying at a speed of 563 km / h at an altitude of 7.6 km. The fuel in the tank was enough for a flight at a distance of three and a half thousand kilometers.
In 1966, the production of civilian aircraft was moved to a separate branch of the company, which was located in Savannah. By the end of the seventies, 356 aircraft were produced. At this time, the Savannah branch was sold to American Jet Industries, after which the company was renamed Golfstream American.
In 1979, a new model of the company appeared - the Gulfstream III aircraft. It was the first plane to fly over two poles of the earth.
In 1982, the company received its current name. In the same year, manufacturers began developing a new Gulfstream-4 model. The sale of the previous model continued, the number of aircraft sold by 1987 was two hundred. By the end of the eighties, sales of fourth-generation aircraft began. The Gulfstream-4 aircraft was distinguished by multi-tasking screens that were installed instead of the usual flight instruments.
The company has developed rapidly. Already in 1995, the GV appeared, which was able to fly long distances. At the same time, the GIV-SP model was being developed.
By the beginning of the 2000s, the company was producing the following models: Gulfstream-4, Gulfstream-5, Gulfstream G100, Gulfstream G200, Gulfstream G300 and Gulfstream G550.
Modern Gulf Stream aircraft: specifications
Currently, the company's products include the following models: G150, G280, G450, G500, G550, G600, G650, G650ER. Their main characteristics are presented in the table below:
Model | G150 | G280 | G450 | G500 | G550 | G600 | G650 | G650er |
Aircraft length, meters | 17.3 | 20.37 | 27.23 | | 23.39 | | 30.41 | |
Wing size, meters | 16.94 | 19,20 | 23.72 | | 28.5 | | 30.36 | |
Aircraft height, meters | 5.82 | 6.5 | 7.67 | | 7.87 | | 7.82 | |
Cabin height, meters | 1.75 | 1.91 | 1.88 | 1.93 | 1.88 | 1.93 | 1.96 | 1.96 |
Cabin width, meters | 1.75 | 2.18 | 2.24 | 2.41 | 2.24 | 2.41 | 2.59 | 2.59 |
Number of passengers, people | 8 | 10 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Flight range, kilometers | 5556 | 6667 | 8056 | 9260 | 12501 | 11482 | 12964 | 13890 |
Maximum speed, km / h | 850 | 893 | 904 | | 926 | | 956 | |
Take-off distance, meters | 1524 | 1448 | 1707 | | 1801 | | 1786 | |
We should also note the Gulfstream-650 aircraft, which is distinguished by comfort, safety and functionality. Its parameters fully comply with the requirements of the modern business class.
Aircraft development
The Gulfstream G650 is a twin-engine jet aircraft. It began to be developed in 2005. And only three years later, its production was officially announced. Manufacturers claimed that it should be the fastest and most comfortable in the entire Gulf Stream line. The aircraft, whose price is about 65-75 million dollars, received the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy Award. It happened in 2014.
The audience was able to appreciate all the advantages of the model in September 2009. Two months later, the first flight was completed. By May of next year, flight tests were completed. During subsequent tests (in 2011), the test model crashed. This led to a ban on further research. But a year later, the model received permission to continue testing. In September 2012, the Gulfstream-G650 received a certificate issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration.
By the end of 2012, the first buyer received this aircraft model. Despite the high cost, the queue for them was scheduled for three years in advance. Particularly entrepreneurial businessmen resold their planes at a higher cost.
Specifications G650
This aircraft has a record flight range of 12,964 kilometers. Without refueling, it is able to fly between cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York and Dubai. Its maximum speed is 977 kilometers per hour. This makes it the fastest aircraft owned by civil aviation.
It is equipped with a powerful BR725 powertrain from Rolls-Royce and a reverse system with high efficiency. Due to the aerodynamics of the wing, optimized in all respects, the aircraft has high take-off and landing characteristics. Even at high temperatures and subject to high altitude.
The maximum height that the plane can climb is 1.5 kilometers.
Salon
The Gulfstream-G650 aircraft has a larger cabin than its predecessors. The width of the cabin is 2.5 m, the length from the driver's cab to the luggage compartment is 13 m, the height is 1.92 m. In the cross section, the plane looks more like an oval than a circle. Due to this, the space at the level of the hands (shoulders) increases. Sixteen wide-oval portholes increased by 16 percent in area.
Several interior options have been developed. As a rule, the front of the cabin is reserved for crew rooms. It houses a kitchen unit, toilet, a place to relax. There is a wide armchair (0.6 m), which folds out and can become a full bed. Also a folding table, screen.
The kitchen on one side is equipped as a working area with a sink, microwave, refrigerator, convection oven, cupboards, and so on.
Next is the passenger area. Chairs located opposite each other are laid out in a berth. Tables are laid out at the touch of a button. In the second third of the zone there is a “conference room”, which is equipped with a chest of drawers and office equipment. In the third part there is a triple sofa with armchairs. The interior package allows you to comfortably accommodate six people at night.
Closer to the tail of the aircraft is the luggage compartment and toilet.
Model G650ER
In 2014, manufacturers announced the development of a modification of the Gulfstream G650ER. This aircraft was distinguished from its predecessor by a longer flight range. It is capable of flying 13789 kilometers without stops.
In September 2014, this modification received a certificate of validity. Deliveries began by the end of the year.
The Gulfstream-G650ER aircraft has won several world records in speed. In February 2015, he managed to fly over the globe on the route New York - Beijing - Savannah. To do this, he needed only one stop. In the summer of 2016, he became the first private jet flying over the North Pole. The flight duration was 12 hours and 8 minutes.
Gulfstream aircraft are distinguished by quality, comfort and safety.