GULFSTREAM G450

 

It seems many of the good things in life are replaced just when you’re beginning to enjoy them. Unfortunately, that is what is happening to the Gulfstream G450, the private aircraft preferred by many due to its impressive range of 4,350 nautical miles/8,056 kilometers at Mach 0.80. This aircraft also had some get up and go and could sprint 3,500 nm/6,482 km at Mach 0.85. William Shakespeare once said, “Fear no more the heat o’ the sun, nor the furious winter’s rages. Thou thy worldly task hast done, home art gone and taken thy wages.” Translation: it’s time for you to be put to pasture and let some other, stronger person, or aircraft, replace you.

 

The G450 will be replaced with a more efficient and impressive G500. The G500 will fly 5,200 nm/9,630 km at Mach 0.85 and 4,400 nm/8,149 km at Mach 0.90. Five G500 aircraft are undergoing flight testing, with type certification anticipated in early 2018. In a press release statement, Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream stated, “For the past 12 years, the G450 has been one of the best-selling business jets in the industry, beloved by pilots and passengers alike for its technological advances, smooth handling, impressive range and unsurpassed passenger comfort.”

 

With over 360 aircraft in the G450 fleet, Gulfstream states that it will continue to provide industry-leading product support and sustain engineering for its G450 customers. This is a case where out with the old and in with the new is a good thing. As Burn stated, “During its 30-year history, the GIV series transformed business aviation, and the G500 is already well on its way to doing the same, with the industry’s first active control sidesticks and the most integrated application of touch-screen controls in the flight deck.”