WINGS TO WATCH FOR 2018

A combination of cutting-edge tech, great design, and a forward-looking ethos characterises the aircraft that will be taking off this year.

AGulfstream G500/G600

the larger G600 will have a 6,500 nm range, both traveling at a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85. These ranges are as much as 300 nm longer than originally predicted thanks to real-world flighttesting. For shorter flights, both aircraft can speed passengers along at Mach 0.925.

Ahead of the 2017 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Gulfstream set a “potential” city-pair record between London and Las Vegas. The 4,690 nm trip included typical westerly headwinds of 32 knots but the G500 successfully demonstrated an average speed of Mach 0.88.

Both aircraft will be able to accommodate up to 19 passengers. While the G500 will accommodate eight passengers in a sleep berth configuration, the G600’s additional length will have room for one additional sleep berth.

Both cabins will boast a six-foot, fourinch ceiling. Ten different cabin layouts are offered by Gulfstream, each providing four distinct living areas.

To maximise passenger comfort, the G500 will be able to cruise high above most weather at 51,000 feet. Inside the s 2018 takes off with a tailwind courtesy of a robust global economy and moderate fuel prices, the timing is good for several business jet programmes that expect first customer deliveries this year. What will we be seeing more of in the skies? We’ve featured two last issue – the Bombardier Global 7000 and the Pilatus PC-24. This time, we take a look at two more, plus one game-changing aircraft, which will start testing this year. The Gulfstream G500 large business jet is expected to begin deliveries to customers in early 2018.

The G500 and its sibling, the G600 are intended to replace the company’s G450 and G550, respectively. The G500 and G600, which share common parts, are undergoing simultaneous development although G600 customer deliveries are not expected until 2019.

While the two aircraft share many similarities, their primary distinction will be their mission. The G500 will have a range of 5,200 nautical miles (nm) while