G450/g550
 

Flight,

I am interested in any comments about these fine aircraft (maintenance and/or pilot input). I will be going to school in the next 4 months and would appreciate anyone willing to share their extertise.

Thanks,

Kevin

Ok, I guess no one likes the Gulfstream 450/550's. I bet I will :)

So, you will have experience flying both the Falcon 7X and the G450/550?

Lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Have you flown for several different companies or just one that likes new and different airplanes? I'm not asking for you to disclose who you work for, just curious because from previous posts is seems like you have been fortunate enough to fly Falcons, Gulfstreams, and Globals.

It is a great airplane from a ground handling perspective! :D

I am sure that helps immensely.:p

7X, where are you going to do your training?

I was a 450 sim instructor for a short time in SAV. I loved the plane, loved SAV. You will find the avionics similar and the performance spectacular.

Not familiar with the FBW in the 7X but find the A320 FBW sloppy. OTOH, the G450/550 is a busier plane with really ancient systems behind the fancy glass.

Enjoy!

7X can be buggy!...but no way can the FBW be called sloppy.

IMO, nicest handling airplane I have flown.

Disclaimer: I never flew an A320 or another FBW plane.

I have experience in the 7x, but not the G450/550....yet :)

Lucky, absolutely.

Hmmm...Sorry Red if I gave you the impressions that I have flown Gulfstreams and Globals. I have not....just Hawkers, Citations and Falcons.

Actually, it does, thanks :)

Thanks Fred,

I am not sure where or when (exactly) I am going. It might be SAV/FSI (fingers crossed) or one of the CAE facilities. We are still negotiating the training contract.

Let me say that I really like the 7X and enjoy flying it. The FBW has been flawless.....Dassault support....not so much.....:).

Absolutely agree! (as I usuallly do with you :)...)

G450
 

Currently flying the 450 and have previous FBW experience in the F-16, which I found to be very responsive!

(I also had an instructor at SAV who left for the airlines to fly 320s I believe...)

The 450's a great jet, with lots of redundancy (the ancient systems are ones improved upon from the well-proven G-IV). The Cursor Control Device which runs your displays, takes no time at all to become comfortable with. (Then again, it designed by a former F-16 guy, so I may be biased.)

The pressurization system is a bit "bumpy," the TR's are quick but don't do a whole lot, and there are a few annoying computer glitches at startup every once in a while that requires you to fully power down the jet to get them to clear.



HUD/EVS works very well, and with Cert Fox Enhanced $$$, you get LPV approaches and CPDLC ADS-C (which is very nice).


Best of luck.

I guess someone needs to start paying more attention on APC. :rolleyes:

By sloppy I mean in managed mode. In selected mode it is as responsive as a 170,000 lb school bus can be. Every summer playing dodge ball in the mid 30s I wish I could be in the mid 40s zipping along! Alas, FSI is poverty work, but good folks.

Enjoy your new Rolls Royce 7X!

Like the previous guy said, the G450/550 systems aren't anywhere near ancient. True they're similar in many ways to the Classic G-IV but they've improved upon the systems without trying to change the concept. Why fix it if it isn't broken?

What part of the country is this job in?

Just wanted to thank all who responded. I appreciate it!

Kevin

What I hear the most about Gulfstreams compared to Falcons are the handling qualities. I've never flown a Falcon but I hear they are a blast to hand fly. The Gulfstream is like a truck in comparison. They have a much slower response time, especially in an unusual attitude recovery. It takes a lot of rudder to lift the wing up when you need it. I personally like the 550 better than the 450. The wing is larger and more efficient. Very low approach speeds at light weight. Easy to fly.

Thanks Sooner,

I have heard the same. I get the impression that even though the Gulfstream might be like flying a truck, it is the answer to a lot of questions.

I love Falcons, but I do not like the French attitude and look forward to better worldwide support.

KL

I liked the 450's handling, but compared to the Canadair stretch 604 (CRJ) the 450 sure required a lot more rudder on the V1 cuts. It even requires more than the A320, but then again that is a FBW plane. When I was running the instructor panel I usually set the V1 cuts to happen at V1 + 5 to 10 kts the first few times to gauge my student's reaction times.

The G wizz planes are very well supported and bullet proof so you will enjoy that aspect of flying them.

I guess 'ancient systems' is based on one's experiences. I thought the cabin smoke removal procedure was less than suitable for such a great plane, and I quickly tired of looking for the aux hydraulic pump switch. We were also prohibited from teaching the 'one fuel pump on' keep the fuel tanks balanced single engine procedure as it is not a documented Gulfstream procedure. OTOH, the Planeview + EVS with auto throttles makes it a very precise plane to fly, very enjoyable. I always said one could fly up a gnat's behind with that HUD/EVS combo.

You're impression is right. I've flown Falcons and Gulfstreams and at times I've been dual qualified bouncing between airframes. A completely different school of thought behind each brand. They couldn't handle any more differently but are BOTH great airplanes.

Yeah, the whole FIRE section in the QRH needs to be rewritten. Of course it was GAC's lawyers that wrote the QRH in the first place. That thing is anything but quick. I recommend the iPad version of Planebook.