Exactly 27 years ago today, on November 28, 1995, the Gulfstream V took to the skies for the first time. The aircraft was based on the Gulfstream IV, a 1983 collaboration between Gulfstream and Grumman Aerospace Corporation.
In the early 1990s, Savannah, Georgia-headquartered Gulfstream needed a long-range business jet that could compete with the Bombardier Global Express. Unlike the Gulfstream IV, the G-V was fitted with more powerful Rolls-Royce BR700-710A1-10 engines. The aircraft's operational ceiling was also increased from 45,000 feet to 51,000 feet allowing the plane to avoid nearly all other traffic.
The Gulfstream V had an extremely long range
The plane's main selling point was its large capacity and ultra-long range of 6,500 nautical miles. Designed to allow the wealthy to travel in style, the Gulfstream V could fly non-stop between London, Singapore, New York, and Tokyo. Also, unlike the Concorde, which severely limited passengers' luggage the Gulfstream's hold can accommodate 30 suitcases. Capable of comfortably cruising at 550 mph, the Gulfstream V was the longest-range private jet available when it first entered the marketplace in June 1997.
The Gulfstream V cabin is spacious and bright, with plenty of room for passengers to move around, making it one of the best private jet options for long-distance flights.
The Gulfstream V has a spacious bright cabin
The Gulfstream G-V can seat up to 18 passengers in three or four living areas. The most popular configuration of the cabin seats 14 passengers. The plane comes equipped with a full-sized galley, sink, fold-out tables, power outlets, and satellite television. The aircraft can also be fitted with an AirData/LeBozec humidifier to make the cabin more comfortable.
Over the proceeding years since the Gulfstream V first went on sale in 1997, it has become the benchmark for all ultra-long-range business jets.
The Gulfstream V is used by the military
Besides being a favorite of business executives and multi-millionaires, the Gulfstream V has found a niche role in military operations. The air forces of Algeria, Israel, Italy, Singapore, Greece, Japan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia all fly the Gulfstream V.
In the United States military, the plane is designated as the C-37A and is used as executive transport for high-ranking military officials and the United States Government. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration also operates one Gulfstream G-V from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The plane was used to transport American astronauts back home upon their landing in Kazakhstan.
Specifications and general characteristics of the Gulfstream V:
- Crew: Two
- Capacity: 15–19[
- Length: 96.4 feet
- Wingspan: 93.45 feet
- Height: 26.85 feet
- Wing area: 1,137 square feet
- Max takeoff weight: 90,500 lbs
- Maximum Landing Weight: 75,300 lbs
- Cabin Length: 43.92 feet
- Cabin floor Width: 5.25 feet
- Cabin Height: 6.17 feet
- Power plant: 2 × Rolls-Royce BR710A1-10 turbofan, 14,750 lbf (65.6 kN) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.88
- Range: 7,500 miles
- Endurance: 14 hours 28 minutes
- Service ceiling: 51,000 feet
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.83
- Normal cruise range: 5,500 nautical miles with five crew and 12 passengers
- Climb rate: 4,188 feet per minute
