Private Jet Review
Gulfstream G400 (IV)
The Gulfstream IV has been a central feature of the large-cabin private jet lineup since its introduction to the market. It can fly eight passengers and three crew members from Tokyo to Seattle at a speed of .80 Mach. Everything from its engines to its flight control systems are high-performing and reliable. The Gulfstream IV has been a popular choice of business jet since Gulfstream announced the preliminary goals for its production – 88 solid orders came in before it even hit the market.
Between fourteen and eighteen passengers should ride comfortably in the Gulfstream IV’s 1,513 cubic foot cabin. Passengers can stand up in the 6.1 foot high cabin and will enjoy the 7.3 foot width and 45.1 foot length (an 18 inch increase from the G-III). The 169 cubic feet of baggage space is accessible in-flight. Two full-length closets for coat storage are located inside the two full-sized lavatories.
There are plenty of cabin features that should make transcontinental and transoceanic flights enjoyable. To begin with, the full-sized galley comes fully equipped with everything needed for hot and cold food preparation: a high-temperature oven, microwave, full-sized sink with hot and cold water, cooled storage, and two coffee makers. There is even fitted storage space for the dinner service (including crystal and cutlery) custom-made for Gulfstream’s private jets.
Standard and optional electronic offerings include a CD, VHS, and DVD player, two LCD screens, individual headphones at each seat for the cabin audio system, a fax machine, and satellite phones. In case those offering aren’t enough, power plugs, work tables, and a LAN connection are included as well. Electronics, lighting, and the two-zone temperature control system can be controlled from several different locations in the cabin.
The Gulfstream IV’s Rolls-Royce Tay Mk 610-8 engines are built around the high-pressure engine core of the Spey RB.183-555, which has successfully documented thousands of hours of flight time in various other commercial and private jets. The Rolls-Royce Tay engine, however, gets 1,000 pounds more thrust on takeoff than the Spey. The Tay engines produce 12,240 pounds of thrust each, allowing a sea level takeoff in 5,450 feet. At an altitude of 5,000 feet, the runway requirement is 7,470 feet. The engines easily meet both FAR part 36 phase III noise requirements, producing 79.1 EPNdB on takeoff, and SFAR part 27 emissions limits. Oil consumption and vibration levels are reportedly low as well.
The Gulfstream IV can climb directly to 37,000 feet in seventeen minutes. After more than 800 hours of wind tunnel testing and aerodynamic improvements, the Gulfstream IV is able to cruise at .85 Mach (480 knots) while at a cruise altitude of 41,000 feet. The Gulfstream IV’s flight envelope extends up to 45,000 feet. The cabin is rated to 9.5 psi, allowing the G400 to maintain a sea level cabin at 22,000 feet. Maximum range (while traveling at .80 Mach with eight passengers and three crew members) is 4,710 miles (4,100 nautical miles).
Much of the Gulfstream IV’s speed and range capabilities can be attributed to some small improvements of the G- III’s structure. A completely new wing design cut down on drag and allowed for an fuel capacity increase of 1,000 pounds. Overall weight was reduced by about 500 pounds due to the use of Kevlar and graphite-epoxy composites in some parts of the cabin and engine nacelles.
The fully integrated cockpit is taken up entirely by six eight-inch square Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) that display all flight, systems, and navigation information. The full-color CRTs replace the mass of electromechanical instruments and displays that usually take up the control panel. Color radar, dual Flight Management Systems (FMS), navigation computers, and Engine Instrument and Crew Alert Systems (EICAS) are provided by Sperry Flight Systems.
The Gulfstream makes no sacrifices when it comes to cabin space, speed, range, and reliability. It meets every requirement a world traveler could have for a private jet with its innovation and quality.
