Gulfstream aircraft are jet models designed specifically for business class flights. Their capacity is up to nineteen people. They are produced by the American company Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.
Company Development
The company was founded in the late fifties of the last century. Its appearance is connected with the production of the first business-class aircraft, which was released by the Grumman company, engaged in the production of military aircraft. This model was called the Grumman Gulfstream I (or "Gulfstream-1"). This turboprop aircraft could carry twelve passengers, flew at a speed of 563 km / h at an altitude of 7.6 km. There was enough fuel in the tank to fly a distance of three and a half thousand kilometers.
In 1966, the production of civil aircraft was transferred to a separate branch of the company, which was located in Savannah. By the end of the seventies, 356 aircraft had been produced. During this time, the Savannah branch was sold to American Jet Industries, after which the company was renamed Gulfstream American.
In 1979, a new model of the company appeared - the Gulfstream III aircraft. It was the first plane to flythrough the two poles of the earth.
In 1982, the company received its current name. In the same year, manufacturers began developing a new Gulfstream-4 model. The sale of the previous model continued, the number of aircraft sold by 1987 amounted to two hundred. By the end of the eighties, sales of fourth-generation aircraft began. The aircraft "Gulfstream-4" was distinguished by multi-tasking screens, which were installed instead of the usual flight instruments.
The company developed rapidly. Already in 1995, the GV aircraft appeared, which was able to fly long distances. Simultaneously, the GIV-SP model was developed.
By the beginning of the 2000s, the company produced the following models: Gulfstream-4, Gulfstream-5, Gulfstream G100, Gulfstream G200, Gulfstream G300 and Gulfstream G550.
Modern aircraft "Gulfstream": characteristics
Currently, the company's products include the following models: G150, G280, G450, G500, G550, G600, G650, G650ER. Their main characteristics are shown in the table below:
| Model | G150 | G280 | G450 | G500 | G550 | G600 | G650 | G650ER |
| Length of aircraft, meters | 17, 3 | 20, 37 | 27, 23 | 23, 39 | 30, 41 | |||
| Wing size, meters | 16, 94 | 19, 20 | 23, 72 | 28, 5 | 30, 36 | |||
| Aircraft height, meters | 5, 82 | 6, 5 | 7, 67 | 7, 87 | 7, 82 | |||
| Cabin height, meters | 1, 75 | 1, 91 | 1, 88 | 1, 93 | 1, 88 | 1, 93 | 1, 96 | 1, 96 |
| Cabin width, meters | 1, 75 | 2, 18 | 2, 24 | 2, 41 | 2, 24 | 2, 41 | 2, 59 | 2, 59 |
| Number of passengers, people | 8 | 10 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Flight range, kilometers | 5556 | 6667 | 8056 | 9260 | 12501 | 11482 |
12964 |
13890 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 850 | 893 | 904 | 926 | 956 | |||
| Take-off distance, meters | 1524 | 1448 | 1707 | 1801 | 1786 |
Separately, it is worth noting the Gulfstream-650 aircraft, which is distinguished by comfort, safety and functionality. Its parameters fully comply with the requirements of modern business class.
Aircraft development
Gulfstream G650 is a twin engine jet. It began to be developed in 2005. And only three years later it was officially announced its production. Manufacturers claimed that it should become the fastest and most comfortable in the entire Gulfstream line. The aircraft, whose price is about 65-75 million dollars, received the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy. It happened in 2014.
The public was able to appreciate all the advantages of the model in September 2009. Two months later, the first flight was made. By May of the following year, flight tests were completed. During subsequent tests (in 2011), the test model crashed. This led to a ban on further research. But a year later, the model received permission to continue the test tests. In September 2012, the Gulfstream-G650 aircraft receivedcertificate issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration.
By the end of 2012, the first buyer received this aircraft model. Despite the high cost, the queue for them was scheduled for three years in advance. Particularly enterprising businessmen resold their aircraft at a higher cost.
G650 specifications
This aircraft has a record flight range of 12,964 kilometers. Without refueling, he is able to fly between cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York and Dubai. Its maximum speed is 977 kilometers per hour. This makes it the fastest civil aviation aircraft.
Equipped with a powerful Rolls-Royce BR725 powertrain and high efficiency reverser system. Due to the aerodynamics of the wing, optimized in all respects, the aircraft has high takeoff and landing characteristics. Even at high temperatures and under the condition of high mountains.
The maximum height an aircraft can reach is 1.5 kilometers.
Salon
The Gulfstream-G650 aircraft has a larger cabin than its predecessors. The cabin width is 2.5 m, the length from the driver's cab to the luggage compartment is 13 m, and the height is 1.92 m. In cross section, the aircraft looks more like an oval than a circle. This increases the space at the level of the arms (shoulders). Sixteen wide-oval portholes increased in area by 16 percent.
Several interior options have been developed. As a rule, the front part of the cabin is reserved for the crew quarters. There is a kitchen block, a toilet, a place to relax. There is a wide armchair (0.6 m), which unfolds and can become a full-fledged bed. Also folding table, screen.
Kitchen on one side is equipped as a work area with a sink, microwave, refrigerator, convection oven, cupboards, and so on.
Next is the passenger area. Armchairs, located opposite each other, are laid out in a berth. Tables open at the push of a button. In the second third of the zone there is a "conference room", which is equipped with a chest of drawers and office equipment. In the third part there is a triple sofa with armchairs. The interior package allows you to comfortably accommodate six people for the night.
Luggage compartment and toilet are located closer to the tail of the aircraft.
Model G650ER
In 2014, manufacturers announced the development of a modification of the Gulfstream G650ER. This aircraft differed from its predecessor by a longer flight range. It is capable of flying 13,789 kilometers non-stop.
In September 2014, this modification received a certificate of validity. Deliveries began by the end of the year.
Gulfstream-G650ER has won several world speed records. In February 2015, he managed to fly over the entire globe on the route New York - Beijing - Savannah. It only took him one stop to do so. In the summer of 2016, he became the first privateplane flying over the North Pole. The duration of the flight was 12 hours and 8 minutes.
Gulfstream planes are distinguished by quality, comfort and safety.
