601-3R vs. GIV vs. 604
07-06-2012, 08:45 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: Cessna 150
Posts: 655
601-3R vs. GIV vs. 604
We are in the market for one of the above aircraft. Obviously, the 3R has the lowest acquisition cost, with the GIV and 604 being almost equal. Resale is a consideration and we know the 3R will be hard to give away. What have those of you operating one of the above types seen as far as reliability, parts availability, support, etc.?
07-06-2012, 09:14 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,177
601s are cheap for a reason--they're getting expensive to own and maintain and resale is dicey. The 604s are pretty bulletproof, systems were a huge upgrade over the 601 and you get 90% of a 605. No experience with G IV.
GF
GF
07-06-2012, 08:09 PM
#3
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Posts: 48
Pookey
Back at starshuttle... It's an airline that you may not have heard of. We used to fly 601-3r. Mx got very expensive on the engines. We decided to buy a g4, Way to much hourly operating expense. We settled on a fleet of 604. 604 is by far the best option. Great avionics and engines are on condition. I think if you can swing the price tag on the 604 you wouldn't be disappointed.
I don't know your mission but could you buy 2 Cessna citations?
Bama
Back at starshuttle... It's an airline that you may not have heard of. We used to fly 601-3r. Mx got very expensive on the engines. We decided to buy a g4, Way to much hourly operating expense. We settled on a fleet of 604. 604 is by far the best option. Great avionics and engines are on condition. I think if you can swing the price tag on the 604 you wouldn't be disappointed.
I don't know your mission but could you buy 2 Cessna citations?
Bama
07-07-2012, 11:44 AM
#5
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Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: F/O- G-V/550
Posts: 1,163
The GIV has a very solid track record, flew it for 4 years, stranded me once. She's a reliable bird... But those -IVs are getting old. I'd take a CL604, haven't heard anything bad about'em and you only give up about 40-50 minutes worth of range/fuel
07-07-2012, 01:46 PM
#6
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Originally Posted by UCLAbruins
The GIV has a very solid track record, flew it for 4 years, stranded me once. She's a reliable bird... But those -IVs are getting old. I'd take a CL604, haven't heard anything bad about'em and you only give up about 40-50 minutes worth of range/fuel
07-08-2012, 06:10 AM
#7
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: DAL 737 FO
Posts: 295
There are still some fairly low time G-IV's out there and they are dirt cheap right now. You could get a very nice airplane and put the new PlaneDeck cockpit in it and be very nicely equipped up front for many years as the ADS/B, FANS, etc. programs start. From a product support standpoint you can't beat Gulfstream and the range is nice, however, there's no getting around the fact that you will pay more to own a G-IV than a challenger....It's not exactly a Prius.
07-08-2012, 06:32 AM
#8
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Posts: 80
I guess I am biased since I've only flown a GIV and not a 604. I would say if they can afford a GIV get one. Very reliable and the extra range can't hurt none. Also I am pretty sure the GIV will get hire sooner and cruise faster. You can get a cheaper GIV and upgrade the avionics as The dude said or buy a lower time/lower cycle airframe.
07-08-2012, 01:43 PM
#10
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Like I said, without knowing the mission, it's really kind of impossible to make a great recommendation. The 604 has strong and weak points, but if you're mostly doing domestic flying with up to 6 people, then it's a great plane. If you're carrying more people or flying longer flights regularly, the GV might be a better option.
The department I work for has a handful of 604's and we take them all through the Americas, Europe and the Carribean, but mostly N. America. They are reliable and our passengers like them.
The department I work for has a handful of 604's and we take them all through the Americas, Europe and the Carribean, but mostly N. America. They are reliable and our passengers like them.
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