Photo: Gulfstream
Exactly twenty years ago airplane company Gulfstream introduced the G550 jet. Spawned from the Gulfstream V, it was originally meant to serve the needs of the business jet segment, but it was quickly adopted and adapted for other uses as well, including medical evacuation and atmospheric research.
The aircraft was the one that debuted the Enhanced Vision System for pilot situational awareness, but officially the plane is no longer in production, with Gulfstream pulling the plug on the winged machine about two years ago.
Yet some 600 of them are still in operation at the hands of various operators around the world, and together they managed to reach an important milestone this week.
As per the company, one of the G550s still flying managed to score the one-millionth landing of the family. Where and when that happened is unclear, as Gulfstream didn't share those details, but that doesn't rob the G550 of any reason to celebrate the moment.
Combined, the airplanes in this family were in the air these past 20 years for 2.6 million hours. That, combined with the number of landings achieved so far, would put the average flight time of these things during a single trip at 2.6 hours.
On average this plane can travel for distances as large as 12,500 km (7,700 miles) on a single outing, reaching speeds as high as Mach 0.8. That's 614 mph or 988 kph, making the G550 one of the fastest birds of its kind.
That level of performance is possible thanks to the two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines that power the plane. These are turbofan pieces of hardware capable of developing 15,385 lbf of thrust each.
As said, playing in the business jet segment means the aircraft is used by a variety of organizations and individuals. That in turn translates into a great deal of interior configurations, each meant to serve specific needs.
At the top of its game though the G550 can transport as much as 19 passengers seated in its cabin or, if need be, can sleep as much as eight people at once.
Those planning to buy a brand new G550 can no longer to that, but Gulfstream does offer presently the next best thing, the G500. That would be a version of the G550 with reduced fuel capacity that can only fly for as much as 9,800 km (6,000 miles).
Back to the G550, even if it is no longer being made doesn't mean it won't be flying for a long time still, possibly reaching other important milestones in the future. As per Gulfstream's president Mark Burns, the plane is still backed by the company's support and service network, and that should help "ensure continued service achievements like this one."
Yet some 600 of them are still in operation at the hands of various operators around the world, and together they managed to reach an important milestone this week.
As per the company, one of the G550s still flying managed to score the one-millionth landing of the family. Where and when that happened is unclear, as Gulfstream didn't share those details, but that doesn't rob the G550 of any reason to celebrate the moment.
Combined, the airplanes in this family were in the air these past 20 years for 2.6 million hours. That, combined with the number of landings achieved so far, would put the average flight time of these things during a single trip at 2.6 hours.
On average this plane can travel for distances as large as 12,500 km (7,700 miles) on a single outing, reaching speeds as high as Mach 0.8. That's 614 mph or 988 kph, making the G550 one of the fastest birds of its kind.
That level of performance is possible thanks to the two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines that power the plane. These are turbofan pieces of hardware capable of developing 15,385 lbf of thrust each.
As said, playing in the business jet segment means the aircraft is used by a variety of organizations and individuals. That in turn translates into a great deal of interior configurations, each meant to serve specific needs.
At the top of its game though the G550 can transport as much as 19 passengers seated in its cabin or, if need be, can sleep as much as eight people at once.
Those planning to buy a brand new G550 can no longer to that, but Gulfstream does offer presently the next best thing, the G500. That would be a version of the G550 with reduced fuel capacity that can only fly for as much as 9,800 km (6,000 miles).
Back to the G550, even if it is no longer being made doesn't mean it won't be flying for a long time still, possibly reaching other important milestones in the future. As per Gulfstream's president Mark Burns, the plane is still backed by the company's support and service network, and that should help "ensure continued service achievements like this one."
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