38 WINGS | March/April 2015 WWW.WINGSMAGAZINE.COM
PHOTO: GULFSTREAM (TOP LEFT); FREDERICK K. LARKIN (TOP RIGHT); BOMBARDIER (BOTTOM)Timing: First flight is expected in the first quarter of 2015,with deliveries beginning during the second half of 2016.
Estimated Price: US$58 million
Competition: Bombardier Global 6000, Gulfstream G600
and Dassault Falcon 7X.
Observations: The maximum range of both the Global 6000
and the Gulfstream G600 come close to 6,450 NM of the 8X
(6,000 NM and 6,200 NM, respectively), however, they can cover
those distances at M.85. Given that the 8X is expected to list for
$58 million, compared with $62 million for the Global 6000 and
$54.5 million for the G600, it will be interesting to see how the
market ends up being divided among these three types.
Gulfstream
Since the first flight of the Gulfstream II 48 years ago, the com-
pany has been the premier producer of large cabin long-range
corporate jets. In the ultra-long range segment, it has delivered
193 Gulfstream Vs, approximately 470 Gulfstream G550s and
almost 100 G650s. The company is aiming to maintain its sig-
nificant share of the most prestigious niche of the business jet
market with the addition of two seventh generation Gulfstream
models to its product line.
GULFSTREAM G500
Highlights:
- A new flight deck with touch screens and active control side
sticks. - Range of 5,000 NM at M.85, or 3,800 NM at M.90. Max.
operating speed of M.925.
Timing: First flight due in 2015, with deliveries beginning in
- Estimated Price: US$43.5 million
Competition: Bombardier Global 5000, Dassault Falcon 5X.
Observations: While the G500 will have a slightly smaller cabin
than the Global 5000, it is expected to have a 10 per cent lower
purchase price than the GL5T. The G500 will fly five per cent fur-
ther than the Falcon 5X and is priced about three per cent less than
the 5X. Expect keen competition between these three models.GULFSTREAM G600
Highlights:- Same new flight deck as the G500, providing type rating
commonality. - Range of 6,200 NM at M.85, or 4,800 NM at M.90. Max.
operating speed of M.925.
Timing: First flight expected in 2016, with initial deliveries fol-
lowing in 2019.
Competition: Bombardier Global 6000, Dassault Falcon 8X.
Estimated Price: US$54.5 million
Observations: The G600 is expected to have a list price that
is 7.5 per cent below that of the Global 6000 and six per cent less
than the Falcon 8X. As well, the G600 is forecast to have a three
per cent greater range than the Global 6000 at M.85. While the
8X will have a four per cent greater range than the G600, it will
only get that far by cruising at M.80.
Innovative new designs = healthy competition,
attractive solutions
These six new models promise to bring more to the corporate
aviation arena – specifically, more comfort, higher speeds and
greater range capabilities. While potential buyers will compare
cabin sizes and interior layouts, block times on frequently trav-
elled routes and the improved abilities to connect distant points
on a map, other criteria will be assessed in making a final pur-
chase decision. Operational reliability, AOG support and the con-
sidered opinions of both influential passengers and flight crews
concerning a particular airplane’s design (inside and out) are other
factors that often influence the selection of a particular model.
A dynamic that figures into the competitive landscape of busi-
ness jet sales is brand loyalty. Atop the list of purpose built cor-
porate jets is the Gulfstream G650. It is not only the fastest large
cabin jet, but also flies the furthest and costs the most to acquire.
Ever since the first business jet flew in September 1957, demand
for these “time machines” has grown. Despite anemic economic
conditions, geopolitical tensions, terrorism and epidemics, the
number of corporate jets in service around the world have con-
tinued to expand decade after decade.
As the need for international travel has increased, so have the
range capabilities of business jets. These six latest examples of
innovative aeronautical design will represent another generation
of aircraft that reflect the advancing requirements of their cus-
tomers. | WThe Global 8000 is Bombardier’s créme de la créme of BizAv aircraft in the
ultra long-range market.
Making its mark (left): Since the first flight of the Gulfstream II 48 years ago, the company has been the premier producer of large cabin long-range
corporate jets. A grand entrance (right): The new Gulfstream G500 made a grand entrance at a special Gulfstream event in October 2014.