I’m pretty sure you’ve heard this before, but when you talk about things like this, there’s no getting around it, because it’s true: business jets are the limousines of the aviation industry. And that generally means it’s pretty difficult to develop something revolutionary in this segment, given how others have probably already done it. Yet one industry player called Gulfstream does it regularly, most recently with something called the G400.
G400 is a name that has existed before in Gulfstream’s portfolio, first originating as a derivative of the fourth-generation business jets produced from 1985 to 2018, and later the G550, produced from 2003 to 2021. In its most recent incarnation, which brings us here today, the aircraft is part of the same family as the G500 and G600, with which it shares many components and design ideas.
That is, we’re talking about a twin-engine metal bird designed to transport well-dressed people. It’s the smallest member of its family, but by no means the least impressive. It has a shorter fuselage than the G500 and fewer windows, but it still packs a mighty punch and more comfort than you could dream of.
The aircraft was announced back in 2021 as the top-of-its-class aircraft, with the largest cabin available, the fastest of its kind in the sky and the aircraft that flies the furthest. Since then, it has been the focus of extensive preparations for its first flight and these appear to have paid off: this was achieved earlier this week when it took to the air for the first time and the test programme that will enable its entry into service was officially launched.
The aircraft’s maiden flight took place over Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Georgia, from where it departed and returned. The aircraft remained airborne for nearly three hours, reaching speeds of Mach 0.85 (652 mph/1,049 km/h) and an altitude of 41,000 feet (12,497 meters).
Photo: Gulfstream
These numbers are quite close to the aircraft’s maximum performance capabilities and it is quite impressive that it achieved these figures on its first flight, even more so considering that a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was used for takeoff.
The G400 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812GA engines mounted not on the wings but on the rear of them, on either side of the fuselage. The engine line is new to the market (although closely related to the commercial GTF engine) and received type certification in Canada in 2022. By that time, the engine had already completed 3,400 hours of testing, 260 of which were in the air.
So far, only Gulfstream has used this type of engine in the G400, but given the family it belongs to, the engine is likely to spread like wildfire through the industry in the coming years. In this particular aircraft, the engine, especially when coupled with a special wing design and the best avionics, should enable the aircraft to achieve 30 percent greater fuel efficiency than the previous generation.
The two engines will propel the aircraft through the air at a speed of Mach 0.9 (690 mph/1,111 km/h) and allow it to climb to a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet (15,544 meters). The maximum distance the aircraft can travel in a single flight is 4,833 miles (7,778 km). The range is enough to enable nonstop flights between Miami and Sao Paulo, for example.
The aircraft is a technical marvel not only because of its engines. The cockpit is equipped with the aircraft manufacturer’s Symmetry Flight Deck and Predictive Landing Performance System. Both systems were developed to help pilots better understand the situation.
Photo: Gulfstream
The Symmetry Flight Deck is based on electronically connected active control sidesticks and touchscreens that give pilots control of the aircraft and its systems.
For people who travel by plane, Gulfstream promises the “The greatest comfort ever experienced in this segment.” This is achieved by systems such as a plasma ionization clean air system, which ensures constant air circulation, or the ten windows with which the fuselage is equipped. Depending on the configuration (three layouts are available), the aircraft can accommodate nine to twelve passengers, and up to five of them can sleep.
Gulfstream hasn’t said how long the test flight program will last, but last time we checked, it said the G400 should be ready to fly commercially as early as 2025. And as you can imagine, that won’t be cheap. We don’t have any official details on the aircraft’s price, but this impressive sky limousine should sell to operators for over $34 million.
