While the downturn of 2008 impacted the mid-size cabin class market, the large cabin class aircraft continued to see a level of growth through the economic turmoil. Now 10 years later and that growth continues as new aircraft continue to be introduced in the large cabin class, long range market. Gulfstream is just one of the manufactures that has brought new aircraft to the market as they complete the final stages of certification on the new Gulfstream G500 and G600 long-range and ultramodern aircraft, set to deliver later this year.
The new Gulfstream G500 interior has been optimized to provide the highest level of comfort and efficiency, featuring wide leather seats, flat floor design and 14 of Gulfstream’s signature panoramic windows, the largest in the industry (16 in G650 an G650ER models). Up front the Gulfstream G500 offers the Symmetry Flight Deck, with active sidestick controls, and large touchscreen avionics with a heads up display all of which continues to help reduce pilot workload and situational awareness in low light conditions.
With the Gulfstream G500 and 600 being the latest offerings to Gulfstream’s already impressive family that includes the long-range, G550 and the G650/650ER, let’s take a quick look at the numbers, between these models. The five aircraft range in length from 91’2” with the Gulfstream G500, to 96’1” and 96’5” for the G600 and G550 respectively and finally G650 and G650ER with a total length of 99’9”. Their wingspans range from 86’4” on the Gulfstream G500, to 93’6” (G550), 94’2” (G600), and finally 99’7” for the G650 and G650ER. Internally all of the comparison aircraft offer a cabin height of 6’2” or greater with most offering 6’4” of height and a total cabin width of 7’4” or greater with most cabins closer to 8 feet. Additionally all five have a maximum cruise altitude of 51,000 feet and are configurable for up to 19 passengers.
When it comes to speed the Gulfstream G500, G600, G650, and G650ER are designed for a Maximum Mach Operating (MMO) number of 0.925 Mach, delivering a high-speed cruise of 0.90 Mach (516ktas) and long-range cruise of 0.85 Mach (488ktas). While in contrast, the MMO of the Gulfstream G550 is 0.885 Mach, with a high-speed cruise of 0.85 Mach and long-range cruise of 0.80 Mach.
The key to these ong range aircraft is just that, their range… comparing the maximum ranges of the aircraft, we see more significant differences: At long-range cruise speed, the max range of the Gulfstream G500 is 5,200nm, the G600 is 6,500nm, the G550 is 6,750, the G650 is 7,000nm and the Gulfstream G650ER is 7,500nm. To see what these numbers mean, you can visit the interactive range map on the Gulfstream website (www.gulfstream.com/aircraft#rangemaps). There, you can select an aircraft, departure city, and long-range or high-speed cruise to visualize how far the aircraft can fly in one leg. To see a better side by side comparison on the numbers, see our comparison chart below.
As we finished our look at the Gulfstream G500 with its ultra-sleek and ultramodern design it was not just the numbers that impressed. Gulfstream continues to strive to provide the latest in passenger comfort, from in-flight connectivity and entertainment, large galley, to the 100 percent fresh air cabin air while providing a low cabin altitude. Passengers will not only remain productive in flight with the global connectivity, and the natural light from the 14 large windows and fresh cabin air will allow you to arrive to your destination refreshed.
Gulfstream Long Range Aircraft Comparison:
| G500 | G550 | G600 | G650 | G650ER | |
| Range (8 pax plus crew w/ NBAA Reserves) | 5,200 nm | 6,750 nm | 6,500 nm | 7,000 nm | 7,500 nm |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 488 | 516 | 516 | 516 |
| Long Range Cruise (ktas) | 488 | 459 | 488 | 488 | 488 |
| Max Payload (lbs) | 5,250 | 6,200 | 6,000 | 6,500 | 6,500 |
| Takeoff Distance (SL, ISA, MTOW) | 5,400 ft | 5,910 ft | 5,700 | 5,858 | 6,299 |
| Service Ceiling (ft) | 51,000 | 51,000 | 51,000 | 51,000 | 51,000 |
| *Engines x 2 | PW814GA | RR BR710 C4-11 | PW814GA | RR BR725 A1-12 | RR BR725 A1-12 |
| Avionics | Symmetry | PlaneView | Symmetry | PlaneView II | PlaneView II |
| Passengers + Crew | up to 19 | up to 19 | up to 19 | up to 19 | up to 19 |
| Sleeps (Passengers) | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Internal Baggage | 175 cu ft | 170 cu ft | 175 cu ft | 195 cu ft | 195 cu ft |
| External Baggage | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cabin Length (excluding baggage) | 41 ft 6 in | 43 ft 11 in | 45 ft 2 in | 46 ft 10 in | 46 ft 10 in |
| Cabin Width | 7 ft 7 in | 7 ft 4 in | 7 ft 7 in | 8 ft 2 in | 8 ft 2 in |
| Cabin Height | 6 ft in | 6 ft 2 in | 6 ft 2 in | 6 ft 3 in | 6 ft 3 in |
| Aircraft Length | 91 ft 2 in | 96 ft 5 in | 96 ft 1 in | 99 ft 9 in | 99 ft 9 in |
| Wingspan | 86 ft 4 in | 93 ft 6 in | 94 ft 2 in | 99 ft 7 in | 99 ft 7 in |
*RR Rolls-Royce
*PW Pratt and Whitney
