G550 or 7X?
 

The boss is teetering between these two airplanes. I'm fairly familiar with both (specs, performance, etc.) but have flown neither. I'm particularly interested in opinions of those that have flown both and would appreciate any insight.

Thanks in advance.

I loved the 7X when it wasn't broken (early serial number). Very efficient and flew like a sports car. Of course the dispatch reliability and lousy Dassault product support pushed us into replacing our Falcons with Gulfstreams.

First trip in the G550 was literally around the world. No issues but excellent Gulfstream support was in place (i mean showed up at the airplane) for each stop just in case. After 3 years our 2 G550s and G450 have been nearly flawless. Unlike the 7X, in the G550, if you get a CAS message, there is usually a work-around so you don't have to power down and then power up (we called it "re-init" on the 7X). If you do have a problem, there is a hotline you can call from the cockpit that connects you to a terrific support team who will work you through any problem. (yes they answer 24hrs a day).

G550 performance is pretty impressive compared to the 7X but it is at a price. It burns a lot more gas so be prepared for that. It is also has a bigger footprint so fitting it on a ramp/hangar when away or a home base hangar should be considered.

From the passenger standpoint, when we started flying the Gulfstreams we heard some passengers comment on how "cheap" the interior looked compared to the Falcons but we don't hear that any more. They are happy getting to their destination with no delays.

If Dassault released the 7X with bugs and expected their customers to be their test bed. They lost a lot of customers because of it. That said, I am sure the current 7X is a better product than it was and I only hope Dassault treats their customers better.

So to sum up, we are now a Gulfstream customer and are happy with that :)

Kevin

I don't know anyone who has gone from Gulfstream to the 7X.....but I know a few who dumped their 7x's for Globals or Gulftreams.

The boys in Savannah charge a pretty penny, but you are getting one heck of a bird for your money and top tier support.

That's exactly what I was after. Thanks a million for the info, Kevin.

The other Falcon products I've flown (900s), were fantastic machines. Very efficient with fuel and maintenance.. but that isn't exactly your question...

"GV customers thought the cabin looked cheap."

Wow, wish I had those kind of complaints.

Contact FlyMD on "that other" forum. He flies, or used to fly, both I think.

CP

I fly the 5. No other way to say it, it does anything you ask of it. Short fields, long flights no problem. 3 words sum it up, performance, performance, performance. At full gross weight takeoff it's guaranteed to be able reach an initial cruise altitude of FL410 (about 30 minutes). The price? Three words, fuel, fuel, fuel.
The fabled Gulfstream support is just that, a fable. Maybe if your airplane is under warranty you can get the service everyone raves about. 10+ year old airplane? Forget it.
Gulfstream does give operators tons of info and resources for pilots I have not seen offered by other manufacturers before.

This exactly. I haven't flown the 7X, but you can't go wrong with the Gulfstream.

Anybody know anyone flying for Creflo Dollar Ministries? Isn't a Falcon trijet a better deal for intercontinental if it has lower fuel costs, a third engine for safety, AND a lower purchase price? You can get a like new one for half the price of a G650. Sure Titanic was a little faster and had white glove service, but in the end, all that guilding and butt wiping wasn't of any advantage to the customer.