At The Cutting Edge: Gulftstream Aerospace Corporation Continued from page 37 Nuys facility is approximately 43,200 square feet and will complement the heavy maintenance capabilities at Gulfstream Long Beach. Appleton’s new facility is approximately 180,000 square feet; the hangar space will accommodate 12 G650ER/G650 aircraft. The new West Palm Beach facility will be approxi- mately 115,000 square feet and will open in the first quarter of 2020. Our largest new facility will be located at TAG Farnborough Airport, an important business aviation- only airport in Greater London. The total new space there will be approximately 225,000 square feet, more than twice as big as our current maintenance facility at London Luton Airport. The new hangar will be large enough to hold 13 G650ER/G650 aircraft. This project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2020. ABJ You are a specialist in large-cabin, long-range jets. But you also produce the Gulfstream G280, which I would call a mid-range, medium-large aircraft, with about half the range of your largest, longest range jets. In what ways, then, does the G280 fit into your big-cabin, long- range product line? MB The super-midsize Gulfstream G280 continues to do extremely well in the market with more than 155 of the aircraft operating around the world. It is an ideal aircraft for locations, like Europe, and it is doing increasingly well in the U.S. It is a very versatile aircraft and much bigger than most people think. In fact, it has many qualities normally found in a large-cabin aircraft. These include auto throttles, auto braking, the Gulfstream Cabin Management System, fly-by-wire technology, and an all-new wing. The G280’s maximum range of 3,600 nautical miles is 200 nautical miles beyond its initial targeted range. It also offers a unique combination of short- field capability—which includes London City Airport approval—range, comfort, and speed. The G280 also has a best-in-class efficiency, consuming up to 12 percent less fuel than other super-midsize jets. It’s also quite the performer. The aircraft has earned more than 65 city-pair speed records. ABJ Let’s look at the G600 and G550—respectively 6,500 and 6,750 nautical mile ranges. Given such close 38 capabilities, isn’t there a risk that they will eat into each other’s markets? MB The G600 and G550 are both outstanding large-cabin aircraft, yet distinctly different. The all-new, clean-sheet G600 has the Symmetry Flight Deck. With its ACS, Symmetry Flight Deck and long, flexible cabin, it was honored with a 2018 International Yacht & Aviation Award for Private Jet Design. The G600 travels at a maximum speed of Mach 0.925, with a long-range cruise of Mach 0.850. A differentiator for the G600—along with the G500—is its high-speed capability, comparable to the G650ER/G650. Flying at Mach 0.90, its long-range cruise speed, can save operators more than 50 hours per year vs. flying at Mach 0.80. The G550, with a maximum cruise altitude of 51,000 ft., can fly over the uncertainties of weather and com- mercial traffic for more direct routes and reduced flight times. The G550’s 99.9% fleet-wide reliability rate tops many operators’ list of favorite features. Furthermore, the G550 features the advanced PlaneView cockpit, with display technology, avionics architecture, processing power, flight management, and navigation capabilities that make it the leader in its class. The G550 has the longest range of any business jet in its class. It can easily carry up to 19 passengers between the world’s business capitals and can fly eight passengers and four crew 6,750 nautical miles/12,501 kilometers nonstop, connecting New York with Dubai at Mach 0.80, or London with Los Angeles at Mach 0.85. In short, it is one of the most dependable and sought-after business jets ever built. Another feature that sets the G600 apart is its wide cabin, which provides an unmatched passenger expe- rience. The G600 has the seat pitch, windows, cabin altitude, and sound levels found in the G650/G650ER. Our G550 remains popular with customers. Given our orders, we will continue to produce this model for the foreseeable future. The G550 has been one of the most successful aircraft for Gulfstream, with more than 575 in service. Customers continue to see tremendous value in the G550, with its unmatched reliability and the longest range in its class. The G550’s maximum speed is Mach 0.885; and a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.80. Aviation Business Journal | Spring 2019
