As time progresses, so does technology. This continues to give Gulfstream a greater ability to exceed consumer expectations and delight them with unmatched quality and attention to detail. Several models are currently available; however, all of them can hold up to at least 10 passengers and cruise at a speed of at least Mach 0.80 — meaning the standards are high for any model released. What’s special about the new G500? Many, many things. Its impressive features not only involve speed and safety but also passenger luxuries such as furniture made of the finest materials, high-tech entertainment options, and panoramic windows.
Gulfstream has been producing innovative, luxurious, business jets for more than half a century. Designing safe, luxury aircraft is far more than just a job for Gulfstream, it’s a mastered passion.
In the mid-1950s, Roy Grumman proposed a business-purposed aircraft to facilitate post-war economic growth. In 1958, he introduced the first corporate jet, Gulfstream I (G1), and launched global business-class aviation. As the industry leader, Gulfstream’s dedication to the highest standards of quality, luxury, and safety have endeared its aircraft to jet owners.
Gulfstream remains the leader
By 2008, Gulfstream developers extended the company product line to include the G100, G200, G550, G450, and G150, of which the G550 is the only jet still in production. Each jet style encompassed attributes and options that remain popular with jet owners and passengers. The company’s designs set it apart from the competition:
- No longer in production, the G100 and G200 are midsize aircraft that Gulfstream renamed after acquiring Galaxy Aerospace. With wide cabins for comfort and long ranges, both jets offer comfort and convenience for jet owners who need space to accommodate their needs.
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Also retired from production, Gulfstream models G300 and G400 are both heavy jets and share the same Rolls-Royce engines with 13,850-pound thrust, but the smaller G300 could be considered the light version of the G400. The G400 offers multiple cabin layouts, local area network within the cabin, and exceeds the G300’s range of 3,600 nautical miles by 500.
- Currently available along with the G280, G600, and G650, the G500 and G550 maintain Gulfstream’s reputation for the highest quality by offering faster operating speeds of Mach 0.925 and 0.885; extended ranges of 5,000 and 6,750 nautical miles; and greater passenger capacities, both seating up to 19. In 2016, a $61.5 million G550 stunned buyers with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW814GA engines with 15,144 pounds of thrust and an ultra-quiet cabin that can sleep eight. The G500 and G550 are in high demand.
The 2017 upgraded G500 release
The G500, however, is on track to be released later this year after it clears its FAA certifications for design specifications, airworthiness, and operational safety compliances. If you need to get anywhere fast, this jet offers speed-of-sound cruising and will carry eight passengers near Mach 1 and up to 19 passengers at Mach 0.85 up to 5,754 miles. Its high-speed internet is 34 times faster than the competition’s, so you and your guests can stream live events from an altitude of 51,000 feet.
