Photograph:
Gulfstream G-150 demonstrator N150GA (c/n 252) at Avalon, VIC in March 2007 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Israel / United States of America
Description:
Business and corporate jet
Power Plant:
Two 4,420 lbst Honeywell TFE731-40AR turbofans
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 16.94 m (55 ft 7 in)
- Length: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
- Height: 5.82 m (19 ft 1 in)
- Long-range cruising speed Mach: 0.75
- Max cruising speed Mach: 0.85
- Normal cruising speed Mach: 0.80
- Range at normal cruising speed: 4,815 km (2,992 miles)
- Range at lon g range cruising speed: 5,556 km (3,452 miles)
- Take-off roll at sea level: 1,524 m (5,000 ft)
- Empty weight: 6,849 kg (15,100 lb)
- Max payload weight: 1,090 kg (2,400 lb)
- Max take-off weight: 11,839 kg (26,100 lb)
History:
In recent years Gulfstream, part of the General Dynamics company, has built and marketed a range of executive jets to meet customer demands and has brought examples of the various models to Australasia on demonstration tours. The smallest of the group was the G-150 which was aimed at the mid-size market against the Cessna Sovereign, the Learjet 60 series, and the Raytheon Hawker 850XP.
The G-150 was developed from the IAI Astra series, production of which commenced in 1985. Over a period of five years 68 examples were completed. Eventually the manufacturer, Galaxy Aerospace (a joint Israel / US company), developed the Astra SPX to be the Gulfstream G-100. A re-design led to the G-150 which entered service in 2006. Re-design included increased engine power of the TFE731-40AR-200G engines, new engine pylons to reduce drag interference, essentially the same wing but with new stiffened airbrakes, and the removal of the fuel tank in the wing leading-edge. The fuselage was 30 cm (11.8 in) wider than the G-100 and had been lengthened by 40.6 cm (16 in). The cabin length was 5.38 m (17 ft 8 in) and had a volume of 13.16 m³ (465 cub ft). An extensive drag reduction program was carried out. The aircraft typically seated 6 to 8 passengers.
The prototype 4X-TRA (c/n 201) was built in association with Israel Aircraft Industries, making its first flight on 3 May 2005 from Ben Gurion International Airport at Tel Aviv, being flown to an altitude of 6,100 m (20,000 ft) at a speed of 463 km/h (288 mph).
First of the type seen in this region was N150GA, a demonstrator, and since then an example has been obtained by a New Zealand company. First example registered in Australia was VH-PFV (c/n 233) owned by ST Aerospace Engineering Pty Ltd of Seletar, Singapore and operated by Pacific Flight Services Pty Ltd of Condell Park, NSW, being built in Israel and registered on 10 May 2013.
Production of the G-150 concluded in mid 2017 after ten years, production reaching a total of 120 aircraft. The type was manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries at its facility in Tel Aviv and delivered to the United States for outfitting and customer delivery.