Full certification for the G280 comes nine months after the aircraft received provisional type certification from CAAI. FAA awarded provisional type certification in March. The aircraft was announced in October 2008 as the replacement for the Gulfstream 200 and first flew in 2009. The certification program involved three G280 aircraft that accumulated more than 2,150 hr. and 794 test flights. Like the Gulfstream 200, the aircraft is a joint effort with Israel Aircraft Industries. Certification and market entry comes a little less than a year later than originally anticipated, pushed back in part by software delays.
Significant Change
Although the aircraft essentially incorporates the G200’s fuselage, the G280 incorporates so many significant changes that it required a new type certificate. The G280 has more powerful Honeywell HTF250G engines that produce 7,445 lb. of thrust and wings that are nearly 50% larger. The result is the aircraft flies farther and faster, but burns less fuel.
Originally known as the G250, the G280 comes to market with improved performance over the original estimated specifications – and brings a new range and new equipment to the super midsize category. While super midsize aircraft are traditionally considered transcontinental, the G280 provides an intercontinental range of 3,600 nm at Mach 0.80. The range is 200 nm farther over the original projections.
The aircraft also incorporates features such as fly-by-wire rudder and auto brakes – both new to super midsize aircraft.
The G280 has a top speed of 0.85 Mach and a balanced field length of 4,750 ft. – a 1,300-ft. improvement over the G200 and 210 ft. better than originally announced. The aircraft climbs to 43,000 ft. in 23 min. with a maximum cruise altitude of 45,000 ft.
The G280 is equipped with a PlaneView280 cockpit that is based on Rockwell Collins’ ProLine Fusion, with three 15-in. liquid crystal displays that include navigation map with terrain; approach and airport charts; graphical flight planning, and optional enhanced vision.
The eight-10-passenger cabin is roomier than the G200 with noise dampening that approaches that of Gulfstream’s large-cabin models. The cabin was designed with a larger lavatory, improved galley and increased storage.
The G280 also benefits from some of the cabin management system features developed for the G650, such as iPod Touch-controlled passenger cabin units.
While full certification comes later than originally anticipated, its timing comes as the market appears stronger for midsized/super midsized category.