New product line from Gulfstream

At the top of Gulfstream's product line is the fully equipped G550 (top). The G100 is at the low end.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. introduced a broad new product line consisting of seven aircraft, moving the company into segments other than top of the market.

"The new fleet will offer our customers the flexibility to choose from different option packages such as multiple cabin layouts and different avionics packages and cockpit technology," said Gulfstream President Bill Boisture. "Our high-end large-cabin, ultra-long-range aircraft, which is sold fully equipped, includes the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System and an industry-exclusive five-year Gulfstream Service and Training Package."

"Our engineering expertise, technical improvements, improved manufacturing processes, cycle-time reduction, lean manufacturing, completions rollback efforts, and vendor relations and completions process improvements have prepared us to easily accommodate the production and completion of this new product line," said Joe Lombardo, Gulfstream Chief Operating Officer.

The line will consist of products with ranges from 2700 to 6750 nm and carry six to 18 passengers.

The first phase of production for the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G300; large-cabin, long-range G400; large-cabin, ultra-long-range G500; and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550 will take place in Savannah. The final phase of the production will occur at company-owned operations in Savannah and three other plants. The G500 and 550 are replacements for the current GV, and the G300 and 400 are replacements for the current GIV. Production lines will be converted to the new aircraft after production of the GV and GIV ends in December.

The company will continue to complete the final phase of manufacturing for the mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100 (Astra SPX) and the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 (Galaxy) at its company-owned facilities in Dallas and Appleton, WI. The wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150, which is being designed, developed, and certified in a joint effort with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), eventually will replace the G100.

The G550, which comes with the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System, is available now and scheduled for entry into service in 2003. It is the most technically advanced aircraft of the fleet, able to fly up to 51,000 ft at speeds up to Mach 0.885. Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, it can fly eight passengers and four crew members 6750 nm—the longest range available in a business jet, according to Gulfstream; the G550 will fly nonstop from New York to Tokyo in 14.5 h. The PlaneView cockpit is an integrated avionics suite that features four large liquid crystal displays that significantly improve the readability of terrain maps, navigational and weather information, and primary flight data. Multiple cabin layouts are offered.

Entry into service for the G500 is expected in 2004. With two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, it can fly 5800 nm with eight passengers at a cruising speed of Mach 0.80; it can go up to 5000 nm at Mach 0.85. The G500's required takeoff distance is only 5150 ft. Depending on the configuration, the G500 can accommodate 14 to 18 passengers.

The G400, with a range of 4100 nm at speeds up to Mach 0.88, will see entry into service in 2003. The Rolls-Royce Tay-powered G400 can fly up to eight passengers and three crewmembers from Chicago to Berlin without refueling, and can accommodate 11 to 14 passengers on trips of shorter range. It has the largest cabin in its class.

The G300 also hits the market in 2003. The large-cabin, mid-range aircraft can fly eight passengers at Mach 0.80 from Chicago to London nonstop, and like the G400, can accommodate 11-14 passengers. Also like the G400, the G300 is powered by Rolls-Royce Tay engines and has a maximum range of 3600 nm and a takeoff distance of 5100 ft.

The large-cabin, mid-range G200 accommodates up to 10 passengers and offers improved performance with its excellent climb abilities, high-cruising altitude, high speed, long range, and short-landing requirements. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW 306A engines, it can fly up to 3600 nm at a speed of Mach 0.85 and at a cruising altitude of 45,000 ft. The G200 benefits from the many improvements made in the 15 months since it joined the Gulfstream fleet; it already has exceeded 50% of a targeted 650-lb reduction in mass. Entry into service is slated for 2003.

Gulfstream and IAI engineers drew upon their experience in the business jet market to develop the G150, an aircraft that offers the best range and speed in its class, according to Gulfstream. Powered by two fuel-efficient Honeywell 731 engines, the Gulfstream G150 will offer a range of 2700 nm, allowing it to fly from New York to Los Angeles nonstop in just 5 h and 50 min—saving 1 h and 600 lb of fuel compared with its nearest competitor. Available in three configurations, this aircraft is capable of accommodating six to eight passengers comfortably. Entry into service will take place in 2005.

In production through 2004, the mid-cabin, high-speed G100 is powered by two Honeywell TFE 731 engines. The G100 can fly up to 2700 nm at altitudes up to 45,000 ft and at speeds up to Mach 0.875. It can be outfitted to accommodate six or seven passengers.

- Patrick Ponticel

Cessna introduces two jets

The Citation Mustang from Cessna has a cruise speed of 340 knot and maximum operating altitude of 41,000 ft.

Designed to fill a void in the turbine aircraft market and meet the demanding needs of tomorrow's aviation environment, Cessna has introduced the Mustang, an all-new plane from the Citation family. With two turbofan engines, it will provide more speed, range, and altitude capability than currently offered by any single or multi-engine piston or turboprop aircraft, according to Cessna.

The Mustang will be certified as a FAR Part 23 aircraft, with cruise speed of 340 knot and maximum operating altitude of 41,000 ft. Cessna anticipates type certification in mid-2006, with first customer deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2006. The plane will incorporate a leading-edge avionics system that features large displays, FMS, and situational awareness capability. The Mustang's constant cross-section fuselage encompasses a comfortable 300-ft³ interior that will accommodate two pilots and four passengers in a club configuration.

Cessna Chairman and CEO Russ Meyer described the Mustang as the Citation model "most significant of all in terms of broadening the base of the business jet market." Pointing to a combination of efficient airframe design and new technology in both propulsion and avionics, Meyer said the Mustang offers good performance "at a price that is $1.5 million less than the lowest-priced business jet on the market today."

The Mustang's engine and avionics manufacturer were not announced at the NBAA show.

Cessna, a unit of Textron Inc., received 217 orders for the Mustang during the show, while the CJ3, another Citation family plane introduced at the show, attracted 156 orders.

Compared with the CJ2, from which it is derived, the CJ3 has engines with 14% more takeoff thrust and 12% more cruise thrust.

The first flight of the CJ3 prototype is slated for the second quarter of 2003, with type certification in the second quarter of 2004.

The dual-channel Williams International FJ44-3A engines use next-generation component aerodynamics and provide 2780 lb of thrust—14% more takeoff thrust and 12% more cruise thrust than the engines used in the CJ2, from which the CJ3 is derived. Designed for single-pilot operation, the CJ3 has maximum cruise speed of 417 knot at 33,000 ft.

The Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system incorporates the same features as the CJ2's while integrating many additional features. Cessna has included the Co-Pilot's Primary Flight Display with second air data computer as standard equipment. Other integrated avionics features include a file server system with cursor control panel and enhanced map overlays.

The passenger cabin, which has a six-seat, center-club configuration, is 24 in longer than the CJ2's. Indirect cabin lighting and dropped aisle lights are featured. A standard forward refreshment center has a work surface that is 10 in wider than that of the CJ2.

- Patrick Ponticel

Quick prove-out for Learjet 40

On display at the NBAA show in Orlando was the first production model of Bombardier's Learjet 40, as well as a mockup of the interior. Cabin length is 17 ft, 8 in.

The first production model of Bombardier's Learjet 40 touched down at Orlando Executive Airport as part of the company's NBAA activities September 10, just five days after the plane made its maiden flight from Bombardier's Flight Test Center facilities in Wichita. The aircraft was cleared for the flight from Wichita to Orlando after completing a total of only 7.7 h of testing to verify systems and ensure that all safety of flight issues had been met satisfactorily.

"Our normal flight test procedures call for us to build time on a new aircraft design within a local test area before making cross-country trips," said Pete Reynolds, Bombardier Aerospace Vice President, Flight Test. The Learjet 40 project already had established some new developmental milestones: the prototype flew for the first time on August 31, and the first production model (the same one flown to Orlando for the NBAA show) flew for the first time September 5.

"Normally, once an aircraft concept is announced, it takes months before a prototype is produced and flown," Reynolds said. "Traditionally, the first production airplane follows significantly later. To fly both within six weeks of the announcement of the concept is pretty extraordinary."

Reynolds reported at the NBAA show that both aircraft handled predictably "and we've had very few squawks."

The flight to Orlando lasted 2 h and 39 min and took place most of the time at 51,000 ft. Due to flight test restrictions, top cruising speed was limited to 270 knot. The aircraft, derived from the high-performance Learjet 45, is capable of cruising speeds up to Mach 0.81. Maximum range is 1803 nm with four passengers, two crew, and IFR reserves.

All Learjet 40 certification testing will be conducted in the two planes over the next two years, with the prototype focusing on stability control, flight dynamics, performance, and basic systems changes (compared with the Learjet 45). The production aircraft will be assigned verification of the redesigned systems and testing related to the interior and options. Entry into service is expected to occur in 2004.

- Patrick Ponticel