Gulfstream: At the Peak of Innovation, Comfort & Competence

“The strongest and the most advanced fleet, with an aircraft for every mission”, is what Gulfstream proudly boasts. When it comes to innovation, Gulfstream has been a leading player in the industry, setting the bar above the rest. Gulfstream’s innovative design, advanced technology, spacious cabins, cleaner air, and customised solutions have always given it an upper hand and made its aircraft class apart. Gulfstream aims to elevate aviation to an art form and boldly envisions revolutionising travel in the 21st century. From avionics to technical specifications, the looks on the outside to the facilities on the inside, Gulfstream ensures its customers the best.

Innovation is not something that is new to Gulfstream. Right from the beginning, the manufacturer has made conscious efforts toward that. One of the earliest aircraft by Gulfstream, the G550 made its first flight in 2002 and right next year it was awarded the Robert J. Collier Trophy for achievement in designing, testing, and building an innovative aircraft. The aircraft featured the new Gulfstream PlaneView flight deck at that time, that integrated several avionics features, including an infrared camera known as an Enhanced Vision System (later known as Enhanced Flight Vision System) that revealed terrain and runway lights in low-visibility conditions. This was followed by the Gulfstream G450 becoming the first business jet to cross the Atlantic Ocean using biofuels, incorporating the Gulfstream G550’s technological advances into the popular Gulfstream GIV airframe. Gulfstream integrated the PlaneView cockpit into this aircraft too and redesigned the wing to reduce drag and allow for greater fuel capacity. Then came the Gulfstream G150 which became the first business aircraft to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Stage 4 noise standards.

Continuing that streak, Gulfstream has earned itself the position of not only being among the best in the business aviation market but also being an efficient innovator when it comes to design and technological advances, acing luxury, comfort, and competence. The constantly upgrading fleet of Gulfstream has often taken its customers and the industry by surprise, displaying its “art of excellence”. Gulfstream’s latest introduction includes two all-new aircraft, the Gulfstream G800, the longest-range aircraft in Gulfstream history, and the Gulfstream G400, the first new entrant to the large-cabin class in more than a decade. Both the G800 and G400 are equipped with the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck featuring electronically linked active control sidesticks – an industry first – and the industry’s most extensive use of touch-screen technology with 10 touchscreen displays. Both the aircraft also come with additional health and safety enhancements that include 100 per cent fresh, never recirculated, and never re-filtered air; the lowest cabin altitude in their respective classes; a plasma-ionising clean air system neutralising 99.9 per cent of airborne bacteria, spores, and odours; and the company’s award-winning Predictive Landing Performance System (PLPS), providing pilots advanced warning of potential runway excursions so they can adjust approaches or go around. G800 customer deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2023 and G400 deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2025.

G800

Gulfstream’s longest-range aircraft Gulfstream G800, being hailed as business aviation’s all-new distance leader completed its first flight on June 27, 2022. In keeping with Gulfstream’s commitment to sustainability leadership in aviation, the aircraft made the flight using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel. Powered by high-thrust Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, the G800 also features enhanced fuel efficiency and more city-pair capabilities along with the Gulfstream-designed wing and winglet that were introduced on the Gulfstream G700.

The G800 can fly 8,000 nautical miles/14,816 kilometers at Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nm/12,964 km at Mach 0.90 and features the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck with active-control sidesticks and the most extensive use of touch-screen technology in the industry. The G800 cabin can be configured with up to four living areas with seating for up to 19 passengers and sleeping space for up to 10. The G800 also features 100 per cent fresh, never recirculated air, a plasma ionisation purification system, and the lowest cabin altitude in the industry. The G800 also comes with an awardwinning predictive landing performance system that helps prevent runway overruns. Dual head-up displays in the G800 feature Gulfstream’s new Combined Vision System (CVS) that unites the Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) and Synthetic Vision System (SVS) into a single image, increasing pilot situational awareness and access to more airports worldwide.

G400

The G400 offers long-range, high-speed performance; cabin comfort; and environmental efficiency. The aircraft ramps up environmental performance by reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and noise through its use of Gulfstream’s aerodynamic clean-wing design and advanced Pratt & Whitney PW812GA engines. The aircraft would fly 4,200 nm/7,778 km at its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85, ensuring ensures farther destinations, faster. The G400 also provides the signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience and 10 Gulfstream panoramic oval windows. While the G800 and G400 have most of the limelight right now, innovation and technical efficiency have been a feature across Gulfstream’s fleet, new or old.

G700

For instance, just recently on June 20, the Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award (IY&AA) for excellence in cabin design. The first fully outfitted G700 garnered the win in the Private Jet Design (Exterior and Interior) category. The G700 boasts the most spacious, innovative, and flexible cabin in the business aviation industry.

The signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience features 100 per cent fresh, never recirculated air; abundant natural light from 20 Gulfstream panoramic oval windows, the largest in the industry; and whisper-quiet noise levels. In May 2022, the G700 set its seventh international city-pair speed record, en route to the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva. In a demonstration of Gulfstream’s industry-leading sustainability commitment, the G700 flew the record flight on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

G650 & G650ER

In its most recent announcement on July 16, Gulfstream’s high-speed range aircraft Gulfstream G650 and G650ER have been certified for steep approach landing operations by the European Union Aviation Safety Administration (EASA), unlocking the ability for European operators of the ultralong-range aircraft to access even more airports around the world. The G650 family holds the FAA steep approach landing certification since 2019. There are more than 480 G650 and G650ER aircraft in service with a combined total of more than 120 city-pair speed records. The G650ER also holds the record for the farthest fastest flight in business aviation history as well.

Gulfstream emphasises that innovation powers the G650 family with its aerodynamic wing increasing speed, range, and efficiency. Additionally, the fly-by-wire technology creates a comfortable flight. The streamlined displays of the PlaneView II flight deck increase safety and reduce pilot workload. The G650 family also features the EFVS.

G600

The G600 has earned over 20 world speed records. Its Symmetry Flight Deck comes equipped with ten touch-screen displays and phase-of-Flight intelligence that enhance operational efficiency, and the EFVS which allows authorised pilots to land without natural vision in low-visibility conditions, increasing access to airports and reducing go-arounds. A Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display, featuring 3D graphics of terrain and runways, further boosts pilots’ situational awareness. It also features an award-winning cabin that accommodates up to four living areas with 14 Gulfstream panoramic windows and the Gulfstream Cabin Experience.

G500

Outfitted with high-thrust engines and an aerodynamic new wing, the G500 allows extremely smooth takeoffs and landings, access to short runways and high-altitude airports, coupled with increases in efficiency and reductions in emissions. Its clean-sheet design helps in delivering the latest advances in safety and performance.

G280

Created to reimagine super-midsize performance, the G280 excels at difficult trails. Certified for steep-approach operations, short runways, high-altitude airports, and low-visibility conditions. Its revolutionary wing design and engine technology result in prime fuel efficiency—reducing operating costs and supporting environmental sustainability.

Gulfstream’s aircraft don’t just carry luxury business passengers but also contribute to special missions to support governments and militaries. Additionally, alongside innovation, Gulfstream displays a significant focus on sustainability, with maximum fuel efficiency, noise and emissions reductions, and our vision for a better-shared future. They claim to be the first business jets certified for stage 5 community noise levels. With advanced flight decks, highly safe cabin features, sustainable methodologies, awards, design, luxury, comfort, and customer satisfaction all come under one roof with Gulfstream aircraft.