Pairing Efficiency, Safety, Intuition, Intelligence & Comfort: Gulfstream G500 & G600

Global aerospace manufacturer’s G500 and G600 aircraft made news towards the end of last year when the company announced their performance accomplishments. Gulfstream’s next-generation Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 had both successfully demonstrated steep-approach landings into London City Airport in England, as well as Lugano Airport and Sion Airport in Switzerland. This milestone demonstrations of low-speed handling and short-field landing capability were accompanied by a new city-pair record run.

After the landing demonstrations, the G500 and G600 each claimed city-pair speed records, departing London City Airport at average cruise speeds of Mach 0.90 and above. The G500 flew 3,077 nautical miles/5,699 kilometers to Teterboro Airport near New York in just 6 hours and 46 minutes, besting the previous record by 12 minutes despite challenging headwinds. The G600 set its own speed record from London to Seattle, completing its 4,235-nm/7,843-km flight in just eight hours and 39 minutes.

However, at the time of release the flights were pending approval by the US National Aeronautic Association and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as world records. Though, the ultra-efficient G500 and G600 hold more than 60 citypair speed records combined.

The G600 can travel 6,600 nautical miles/12,223 kilometers at Mach 0.85 and 5,600 nm/10,371 km at Mach 0.90. To date, the aircraft has set more than 20 city-pair speed records around the world. In addition to the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the G600 has earned certifications from the United Kingdom, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Mexico, San Marino and Turkey.

This takeoff and landing performance that was demonstrated in Europe was noted as key in the process of securing customers’ access to even more locations worldwide, saving them even more valuable hours per year, Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream had remarked.

“Following official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) steep-approach certification, anticipated next year, the G500 and G600 will gain access to challenging airports such as London City, which requires the certification due to its short runway and stringent noise-abatement requirements, as well as Lugano and similar airports located in the mountainous region of Switzerland. Lugano’s short runway, situated in the mouth of a valley, requires an extremely steep approach,” the company informed.

In addition, the G600 has officially received FAA and EASA certification of improved takeoff performance operations on grooved runways in wet conditions; G500 certification is tracking for 2022.

The G500 and G600 programme by the manufacturer is a key in its portfolio. One year ago, Gulfstream had announced the 100th customer delivery of “the next-generation Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 programme”. The 100th aircraft was a G500.

“Gulfstream saw great demand for the all-new G500 and G600 right out of the gate,” said Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream. “Once they entered service, interest in these innovative aircraft soared even more as operators experienced the compelling combination of the Symmetry Flight Deck and outstanding cabin comfort. Reaching 100 deliveries at this stage in the program is remarkable and a clear reflection of the advantages the G500 and G600 give our customers.”

The G500 entered service in September 2018, with the G600 following in August 2019 after a rigorous flight-test programme, including a high-speed G500 world tour spanning nearly 1,30,000 nautical miles and achieving 22 city-pair speed records. To date, the G500 and G600 have achieved more than 60 speed records and a combined total of more than 25,000 hours and more than 13,000 landings.

The G500 and G600 ushered in Gulfstream’s next-generation technology with the award-winning Symmetry Flight Deck, featuring the industry’s only active control sidesticks, most extensive use of touchscreen technology and a data concentration network, stated Gulfstream. The aircraft, which have earned numerous awards and accolades for seat and cabin design, include the Gulfstream Cabin Experience with 100 per cent fresh, never recirculated air, the industry’s lowest cabin altitude, whisper-quiet sound levels and 14 panoramic windows.

In September, 2021, Gulfstream had delivered the 50th G600, which entered service in August 2019. Owing to its advanced design and aerodynamics of the Gulfstream wing combined with Pratt & Whitney 800-series engines, the aircraft features leading fuel-efficiency. “The wing design greatly reduces drag, and the engines provide significant improvements in environmental efficiency. Nitrogen oxide emissions are 27 per cent lower than the latest International Civil Aviation Organization Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection’s international requirements, and emissions for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and smoke are more than 75 per cent better than international requirements,” informed the manufacturer.

The G600 is also noted to be significantly quieter than the latest Stage 5 noise limits, greatly decreasing the impact the aircraft has on communities surrounding airports during takeoff and landing. Along with the Gulfstream G500, the G600 was the first aircraft, business or commercial, to be certified to Stage 5 noise standards.

The award-winning G600 interior can be configured for up to three living areas and a crew compartment or four living areas, and features industry-leading low cabin sound levels, a low cabin altitude and 100 per cent fresh air, all of which reduce fatigue and decrease the impacts of jet lag. The G600’s 14 panoramic oval windows let in an abundance of natural light.

In 2021, the Gulfstream G500 also had a highlight momentwhen it was awarded the 2021 International Yacht & Aviation Award (IY&AA) for excellence in cabin design. The “Performance and Polish” G500 entry gained the top honors in the Interior Design/VIP Completions category.

“This is the fifth year in a row we have earned an International Yacht & Aviation Award, and I am proud of our amazing Gulfstream team of designers and artisans that brings creativity and imagination to our ultramodern aircraft,” said Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream. “Gulfstream cabin is the product of collaboration among our interior and industrial design teams and the craftsmanship of people who build the custom cabin elements by hand. Our combined focus on performance, innovation, quality and artistry sets Gulfstream interiors apart.”

The Gulfstream G500 Performance and Polish interior design conveys the aircraft’s high-speed capabilities and mimics the smooth flight passengers enjoy while flying in the aircraft’s stylish, comfortable cabin. The combination of Gulfstream innovation and artistry is also evident in the award-winning seat design, advanced ergonomics, handcrafted furnishings and hand-tailored finishes.In addition to the bespoke interior, passengers flying aboard the G500 benefit from 100 per cent fresh, never recirculated air, industry-leading low cabin altitudes, whisper-quiet sound levels and 14 Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows. G500’s clean-sheet design claims to deliverthe latest advances in safety and performance.