New Heights of Comfort and Performance

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. marked a major milestone with the successful first flight of its Gulfstream G400. On August 15, Gulfstream announced that, “the all-new Gulfstream G400 successfully completed its first flight, officially launching the flight test program and further expanding Gulfstream’s ultramodern, high-technology family of next-generation aircraft. The aerospace manufacturer underlines that the G400 defines a new standard with the highest performance and greatest comfort ever experienced in this segment.

For this particular flight, the G400 departed Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 9:04 a.m. and returned 2 hours, 55 minutes later, having reached a speed of Mach 0.85 and altitude of 41,000 feet/12,497 meters. The aircraft accomplished this mission using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Gulfstream’s Savannah campus.

Gulfstream continues to support development of the world’s most transformative SAF and regularly fly their company and test aircraft on SAF blends. By partnering with fuel developers and engine manufacturers to achieve new SAF milestones, Gulfstream constantly demonstrates the power and safety of emerging fuels. Gulfstream also continues to develop new technologies to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact. The company has also been recognised for sustainability leadership. It has earned four National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Sustainable Flight Department Accreditations. In December 2022, Gulfstream had also become the industry’s first business aircraft original equipment manufacturer to fly on 100 per cent SAF. The manufacturer promises that its next-generation fleet is the most fuelefficient in the industry, offering fuel burn per cabin size for a theoretical 3,000 nm/5,556 km NBAA IFR mission at Mach 0.85 with 8 passengers.

The G400’s flight last month not only initiated the aircraft’s rigorous flight test program but also further cemented Gulfstream’s commitment to expanding its ultramodern fleet of next-generation business jets. The G400, a large-cabin twinjet, was introduced alongside the ultra-long-range G800 in 2021, broadening Gulfstream’s product lineup to six models and setting a new benchmark for performance and comfort in its class.

The G400 showcases class-leading performance and efficiency with its combination of Gulfstream’s aerodynamic clean-wing design, advanced Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812GA engines and next-generation avionics. The advanced Pratt & Whitney engines, the Gulfstream aerodynamic wing and nextgeneration avionics work together to deliver 30 per cent more fuel-efficiency than previous-generation aircraft.

The aircraft can fly 4,200 nautical miles/7,778 kilometers at Mach 0.85 and is equipped with Gulfstream’s award-winning Symmetry Flight Deck and Predictive Landing Performance System to help improve flight safety and pilot situational awareness. Gulfstream’s flagship Symmetry Flight Deck features electronically linked active control sidesticks, the most extensive use of touch-screen technology in the industry, and Gulfstream’s thirdgeneration Enhanced Flight Vision System. For the advanced technology introduced on its flight deck, the G500 received Aviation Week’s 2017 Technology Laureate Award, a 2019 Editor’s Choice Award from Flying magazine and Business Intelligence Group’s 2019 Innovation Award.

The G400 also features the advanced high-speed Gulfstream-designed wing and winglet, introduced on the Gulfstream G500 and G600, that greatly enhance efficiency. The G400 offers customers a choice of three floorplans and provides the signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience.

“The completion of the first flight marks a significant milestone for the G400,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “It demonstrates, yet again, the maturity of Gulfstream’s new aircraft programs and the advantages created by the intentionally designed commonalities shared across our next-generation fleet.”

With the cabin that is as large as that offered by G400 in its class, Gulfstream ensures that productivity will certainly go up for the customers. Optimal floor plans provide up to 2.5 living areas so that there is flexible space for meetings, focused work and relaxation, hence boosting productivity. “Thrive in an environment of 100 per cent fresh air—replenished every two minutes—so you arrive refreshed,” Gulfstream states. In terms of productivity, it further adds:

• Clarify: Ten windows—the largest in business aviation—offer abundant natural light and sweeping views of the world.
• Focus: An exceptionally quiet cabin and the lowest cabin altitude in the class enhance your productivity.
• Breathe: Our clean air system purifies the cabin air using plasma ionisation technology, so you can fly with peace of mind.

G400 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE Maximum Range 4,200 nm High-Speed Cruise Mach 0.88 Long-Range Cruise Mach 0.85 Maximum Operating Mach Number (Mmo) Mach 0.90 Takeoff Distance (SL, ISA, MTOW) 5,000 ft Initial Cruise Altitude 41,000 ft Maximum Cruise Altitude 51,000 ft CABIN Living Areas Up to 2.5 Seats Up to 12 Sleeps Up to 5 Cabin Altitude 3,255 ft at 41,000 ft Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows 10 Galley Forward Vacuum Lavatory Aft and Optional Forward WEIGHTS Maximum Takeoff 69,850 lb Maximum Landing 60,000 lb Maximum Zero Fuel 47,150 lb Basic Operating (including 3 crew) 43,100 lb Maximum Payload 4,050 lb Maximum Payload/Full Fuel 1,800 lb Maximum Fuel 25,350 lb Source: Gulfstream

Gulfstream’s next-generation business jet lineup also includes the G500, G600, flagship G700, and the ultra-longrange G800. The company assembles the G500 and G600 jets at its Savannah facility, which is now transitioning from G400 development to full production. Gulfstream has been producing the G500 and G600 on two production lines at this site. Following a 1,42,000 sq ft (13,192 sq m) expansion completed last year, a third production line and additional space have been added for the G400, with customer deliveries expected to begin next year.

COMFORT AND CUSTOMISATION

True to Gulfstream’s reputation, the G400 promises an unparalleled cabin experience. Customers can choose from three floor plans, accommodating up to nine, 11, or 12 passengers, each featuring the signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience. This includes 100 per cent fresh, non-recirculated air purified by a plasma ionisation clean air system, the lowest cabin altitude in its class, and natural light from 10 Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows.

For prospective customers, Gulfstream offers a hands-on experience of the G400’s interior. Customers can experience the G400 interior at the Gulfstream Savannah-based showroom, which includes a full-size G400 mock-up alongside immersive multimedia content and interior design display, or the sales and design center in Beverly Hills which also hosts a G400 cabin mock-up. These exclusive, invitation-only opportunities allow clients to explore the safety and wellness-enhancing features of the G400 while gaining insights into Gulfstream’s meticulous design process. Gulfstream also offers a comparison to showcase its large cabin by displaying the competitor average to be about 17 feet in compared to the 24 feet of the G400.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

The G400 is part of Gulfstream’s next-generation business jet family, which includes the G500, G600, flagship G700, and the ultra-long-range G800. Gulfstream has already prepared its Savannah facility to transition from G400 development to production, with the company planning to start customer deliveries next year. The facility, which also assembles G500 and G600 models, underwent a 1,42,000 square-foot expansion last year, adding a third production line specifically for the G400.

With the G400’s first flight successfully completed, Gulfstream is not only expanding its fleet but also redefining the standards of business aviation, ensuring that the sky is just the beginning.

The Gulfstream G400 comes with a promise to let the customer “Step up to the leader in large-cabin business jets” alongside offering the largest cabin in its class as well as setting the standard as the fastest and farthest-reaching aircraft in its category. The G400 ensures to deliver the customers to farther destinations, faster, travelling nonstop from Geneva to New York, or São Paulo to Miami, while accruing significant time savings through the year.