SAVANNAH, Ga., Aug. 30, 2005 – Gulfstream Aerospace, announced it has included a pilot and copilot cursor control device as standard equipment in its newest business jet, the Gulfstream G150, which is scheduled to enter service in the third quarter of 2006. Gulfstream designed and developed this signature Gulfstream Cursor Control Device (CCD) during the development of the ultra-long-range G550. An integrated feature of the PlaneView® flight deck, the CCD is standard equipment on all of Gulfstream’s large-cabin aircraft – the G550, G500, G450 and G350.
“Due to overwhelmingly positive pilot response to the CCDs in our large-cabin business jets, it was only logical to add this feature in our newest airplane,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, program, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “Our first true mid-size business jet, the G150 has been designed in Gulfstream’s tradition of excellence. We continue to look for new ways to incorporate technological advancements to our cockpits that reduce pilot workload, while enhancing safety.”
Gulfstream and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) are developing the wide-cabin, high-speed G150. It is being built through its Certificate of Airworthiness at IAI’s facility in Tel Aviv, and then flown to Gulfstream’s Dallas completions facility for its final phase of manufacturing. Nearly identical to the CCDs in the cockpits of Gulfstream’s large-cabin aircraft, the two G150 CCDs are mounted on the cockpit sidewall – one on the left side and the other on the right side – at natural hand-resting locations for ease of use by the pilot and copilot. The G150’s CCDs are fully integrated with the Rockwell Collins Proline 21 advanced avionics suite. Without looking down or leaning forward, flight crews can access the functionality of the two Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) and the two Multi-functional Displays (MFDs) by using the CCD’s point-and-click, scrolling and push-button operations.
On the Primary Flight Displays, flight crews can control avionics and access traffic and weather overlays, map ranges and on-screen menus via the CCD. On the Multi-functional Displays, they can use the CCD to control menu functions, traffic and map overlays, and waypoint designators. Both CCDs include a push-to-talk button that enables pilots and copilots to talk with air traffic controllers, cabin crew or guests in the cabin when requested. To further reduce pilot workload, the CCD is integrated with many of the G150’s optional flight deck enhancements. For instance, crews can pull up an approach chart with a single touch, they can zoom in and even change the chart’s orientation. Crews can also access checklists and operate the 3-D Flight Management System (FMS) displays as well.
In addition to cockpit enhancements, the G150 features an entirely new cabin design. Compared to the mid-cabin, high-speed G100, the G150 cabin is a full foot wider and two inches higher, resulting in a cabin that has 25 percent more volume. Passengers will appreciate the spacious cabin, designed and outfitted by the same team of professionals who design and install high-quality interiors for the entire fleet of Gulfstream business jets. To offer customers a better look at the G150, Gulfstream developed a true-to-size replica of the G150 cabin and cockpit that is currently being displayed in cities throughout the United States. On May 3, the first G150 successfully completed its first flight. The G150 remains on schedule for type certification in the first quarter of next year.