Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget. Are You Sure This Is
an Aerospace Story?
Gulfstream president Bryan Moss paid generous tribute to
Israel Aircraft Industries and his own personnel when he announced simultaneous
Israeli and FAA certification of the G150 midsize business jet at a preshow
event. At least 10 weeks before the 1Q06 target and under planned expenditure,
the aircraft gained unprecedented synchronous certification on November 7,
positioning it as a major center of attraction this week.
"The G150...performed significantly better than we had
imagined during the original development," said Pres Henne, svp programs,
engineering and test at Gulfstream. For even further added effect, the aircraft
can now be confirmed as offering, at 2,950 nmi, 250 nmi more than promised
range and, at 5,250 ft, a 650-ft reduction of required runway. This all despite
50 lbs of extra fuel and the same amount more payload having been added to the
maximum takeoff weight.
First flown on May 3, the Gulfstream G150 will replace the
G100, on which it is based—that relationship having reduced the flight-test
requirement to a combined 475 hours by this and the second machine in order
to achieve certification. The number 2 airplane and a
fuselage mock-up can be viewed here at the convention before they continue
their North American tour.
