G150 Also Receives Group Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum Approval

Gulfstream's new  G150 business jet has met Stage 4 noise requirements as set forth by ICAO. It is the first Gulfstream business jet to be certified by the FAA for Stage 4, the industry’s most stringent noise standards. Additionally, the G150 recently received group Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) approval.

“The G150 is the first Gulfstream aircraft to comply with these stringent noise requirements,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “While we were not required to meet these standards because we applied for the G150’s type certificate before the Stage 4 noise requirements became effective, we felt it was important to step up and do so.”

Stage 4 requirements have been in effect since Jan.1, 2006. As mandated by the FAA, all jet aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 12,500 pounds or more developed on or after this date must meet Stage 4 requirements, which are 10 EPNdB (effective perceived noise level in decibels) less than the previous Stage 3 requirements.

In August, the G150 also received approval from regulatory authorities for group RVSM operations after meeting required equipage and altitude-keeping performance standards. With this approval, the G150 can fly at predetermined RSVM flight levels that are separated by a minimum of 1,000 feet. Aircraft not approved for RSVM operations have fewer flight levels and a vertical separation of 2,000 feet.

Gulfstream introduced the G150 in September 2002. On May 3, 2005, the G150 completed its first flight, which lasted 4 hours, 13 minutes. The G150 received its certification from both the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Nov. 7, 2005, 10 weeks ahead of schedule. This marked the first time that two civil aviation agencies certified the same aircraft on the same day.

Powered by two Honeywell TFE731-40AR engines, the G150 can reach speeds of up to Mach .85 and altitudes of 45,000 feet, well above commercial traffic and weather. At a long-range cruise speed of Mach .75, the G150 can fly four passengers nonstop up to 2,950 nautical miles – father than any other aircraft in its class. The G150 easily connects cities such as New York to Los Angeles, London to Moscow, or Rio de Janeiro to Santiago.

The fully-equipped G150 flight deck features Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Avionics. Also included is Gulfstream’s signature Cursor Control Device (CCD), which is standard equipment on all of Gulfstream’s large-cabin aircraft – the G550, G500, G450 and G350. As with all Gulfstream business jet models, the new G150 is backed by Gulfstream’s award-winning product support.

G150 aircraft are designed and built in collaboration with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) in Tel Aviv, Israel. Initial manufacturing is completed in Tel Aviv, Israel, after which the aircraft are flown to Gulfstream’s Dallas facility for the final phase of manufacturing.

FMI: www.generaldynamics.com, www.gulfstream.com