Gulfstream G200 (Galaxy) Intercontinental Business Jet, USA

The Gulfstream G200 super mid-size intercontinental business jet made its debut in the year 2000, two years after a prototype of the aircraft appeared.

The jet was first produced as the Galaxy business jet by Galaxy Aerospace, headquartered at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas. In June 2001, Galaxy was acquired by Gulfstream parent company General Dynamics and the aircraft was renamed the G200.

In January 2002, the G200 completion centre was moved from Alliance Fort Worth to Gulfstream's plant at Dallas Love Field, Texas. Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) was a co-owner of Galaxy Aerospace and continues to manufacture the G200 at its Tel Aviv plant and the aircraft are flown to Dallas for completion.

The first customer delivery of a G200 intercontinental business jet was made in January 2000 to TTI Incorporated. The G200 is also operated by Lions Air, a charter service based in Altenrhein, Switzerland, United Airlines subsidiary Avolar, which has ordered 24 G200 with 43 options, Hainan Airlines of China, with three G200 jets on order, NetJets fractional ownership operator, which has ordered 50 aircraft with 50 on option, and Metrojet of Hong Kong. The 150th G200 jet was rolled out in May 2007.

GULFSTREAM CABIN

The G200 can be configured for eight to 18 passengers. The aircraft has a ten-passenger configuration that includes a conference / dining table for four, with a three-seat divan opposite. The G200 has a cabin height of 6ft 3in (1.91m) and a width of 7ft 2in (2.18m), allowing cabin configurations more common in the largest business aircraft.

In February 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued approved installation of the satellite-based High-Speed Data System (HSDS) in G200 jets, allowing passengers fast access to internet-based communications. HSDS is being offered as an option for new jets or as a retrofit.

G200 PERFORMANCE

The G200 also delivers intercontinental capability. Range with eight passengers is 3,346 nautical miles with NBAA IFR reserves. Maximum payload is 4,800lbs. In a corporate shuttle configuration, the G200 can carry enough fuel to fly 2,710nm with NBAA IFR reserves.

Its typical cruise speed is Mach 0.82. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 306A engines; the G200 is fuel efficient, as well as quiet.

The G200 is fully certified for flight in all weather conditions, including known icing. Icing tests were the last certification item to be completed, with a test aircraft concluding a series of tests in natural icing conditions over Northern Europe in early December 2000.

RUNWAY PERFORMANCE

Runway performance has improved from earlier projections, with takeoff distances at maximum takeoff weight decreasing from 6,040ft to 5,900ft. Hot and high performance is a strong suit of the G200, which can carry eight passengers from Aspen to New York, taking off on a 74°F (ISA+24°C) day.

TURBOFAN ENGINES

The G200's two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 306A turbofan engines provide the power (26.9kN (6,040lb) of thrust each) to take off at gross weight on a standard day and climb directly to 45,000ft.

Digital Electronic Engine Controls (DEECs) simplify engine operation, allowing automated thrust and fuel management, and provide monitoring and fault analysis capability. The G200 also has a highly adaptable wing designed to guarantee stability at the low end of the speed range.

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