The aircraft received a provisional type certificate
from the CAAI on December 29, 2011, and the FAA on March
1, 2012. As with all Gulfstream aircraft, the G280 was
designed with considerable input from Gulfstream
customers who participate in the company’s Customer
Advisory Board. “Their contributions were
invaluable in creating a super mid-sized aircraft that
flies so far and so fast,” said Pres Henne, senior vice
president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream.
“The G280, with a top speed of Mach 0.85, already has
set four city-pair speed records. We anticipate it will
set many, many more in the months and years to come
thanks to its advanced wing design and its
fuel-efficient Honeywell HTF250G engines, each of which
delivers 7,445 pounds of thrust. The significant range
and speed increase compared to the G200 is achieved
while burning less fuel.
“In addition to the aircraft’s tremendous performance
capabilities, it offers the most comfortable cabin in
its class with the Gulfstream-designed cabin management
and audio/video distribution systems, industry-leading
sound levels, 19 super-sized windows and in-flight
access to the baggage compartment. We’re extremely proud
of this aircraft and know our customers will be, too,”
Henne said.
The G280 has an all-new, advanced transonic wing design
that has been optimized for high-speed cruise and
improved takeoff field length performance. At its
maximum takeoff weight of 39,600 pounds (17,963 kg), the
aircraft offers a balanced field length of 4,750 feet
(1,448 m), an improvement of more than 1,300 feet (396
m) over the G200 it replaces and 210 feet (64 m) less
than originally announced at the program’s outset.
“The new G280 aircraft is the impressive result of an
extensive development program,” said David Dagan, vice
president and general manager, Commercial Aircraft
Group, IAI. “The aircraft’s performance ultimately
exceeds initial projections.” The aircraft’s engine-wing
combination gives the G280 tremendous climb performance,
propelling it to 43,000 feet in less than 23 minutes.
The aircraft’s maximum cruise altitude is 45,000 feet.
The community noise characteristics are a cumulative
15.8 dB below FAA Stage 4 noise requirements.
This level is more than 5 dB quieter than the
predecessor model and reflects Gulfstream’s continuing
commitment to improved design.
The G280 includes auto braking as a standard feature.
This system improves passenger comfort and reduces brake
wear, resulting in lower operating costs. It also
improves safety while reducing pilot workload. The
brake-by-wire system features an individual, anti-skid,
completely independent mechanical backup and a brake
temperature monitoring system.
In
the Cockpit the G280 features the most advanced flight
deck in its class, the PlaneView280™, based on Rockwell
Collins ProLine Fusion avionics. It includes three
15-inch (36-cm) liquid crystal displays that are capable
of showing multiple formats, including a navigation map
with terrain; approach and airport charts; graphical
flight planning, and optional enhanced vision.
The cockpit also includes a standby multi-function
controller, dual Gulfstream signature cursor control
devices, dual auto-throttle and two PlaneBook
subscriptions. It’s the only aircraft in its class to
offer automatic descent mode as a standard feature.
Other features include wide area augmentation
system/localizer performance with vertical guidance
(WAAS-LPV), future air navigation system (FANS) 1/a and
controller-pilot datalink communication (CPDLC),
electronic charts on cockpit displays and worldwide
graphical weather.
“The PlaneView280 system is designed to improve
situational awareness and safety through its highly
interactive controls and interfaces as well as its
advanced graphics and synoptics,” Henne said. “Optional
features further enhance the capabilities of the flight
deck. These include the Rockwell Collins HGS-6250
Head-Up Display (HUD II) and Gulfstream Enhanced Vision
System (EVS II).”
In
the Cabin the comfort and convenience are just two
highlights of the G280 cabin. The aircraft has the
longest seating area in its class and a total cabin
length of 25 feet, 10 inches. This additional space
provides for a larger lavatory, an improved galley and
increased storage. Customers can select from three
interior floor plans, which seat from eight to 10 and
berth up to four. All of them offer significant storage
capabilities, with total storage of up to 154 cubic
feet.
The significantly larger lavatory is accented by two
windows, a contemporary sink with raised ledge, a
full-length closet and a vacuum toilet system with
overboard venting, the only system of its kind in this
class of aircraft. The cabin contains a larger,
ergonomically designed galley that features an
extra-large ice drawer with gasper-cooled storage, a
sink with hot and cold water, and increased storage
capacity.
Further contributing to the extraordinary cabin
environment is an advanced environmental control system
that provides 100 percent fresh air and a low cabin
altitude: 7,000 feet at FL450 and 6,000 feet at FL410.
“Taken together, these amenities significantly reduce
fatigue, increase mental alertness and enhance
productivity,” Henne said. The aircraft has
new seats, measuring 21 inches (53 cm) between the arm
rests and featuring new styling details, a telescoping
headrest with optional flexible wings, an articulating
seat pan for full-flat berthing and an optional
recliner-style leg rest.
The Gulfstream Cabin Management System serves as the
backbone of the cabin experience. This
Gulfstream-designed and -controlled system allows for
digital control of the cabin system network, including
high-definition audio and video components. The
passenger control units are loaded onto an iPod Touch
and provide the floor plan of the aircraft. Intuitive
controls are provided for lighting, temperature,
entertainment equipment, attendant call and other cabin
functions, including the Gulfstream CabinView Passenger
Flight Information System.
CabinView, a Gulfstream-designed and -controlled system,
provides flight and cabin information, such as
geographic boundaries, borders and points of interest.
Additional content, such as stock prices and weather,
can be tailored through optional high-speed Internet
data. The
cabin adheres to Gulfstream’s Cabin Essential design
philosophy. This means the cabin systems (lighting,
power, cabin control, cabin entertainment, and the water
and waste systems) are designed with redundancy that
minimizes the risk of losing cabin functionality. “This
aircraft leads its class in every significant aspect of
performance and comfort,” Flynn said.
|