Gulfstreams?
 

Hello as a frequent follower of this forum but first time poster I would love it if someone could explain to me how Gulfstream has managed to avoid using any leading edge lift devices through their principal large aircraft line up (excluding the IAI G100/50/G200/50/80). It seems that they still achieve impressive field performance without them while all other business jet manufacturers minus the Hawker 800/900...etc all use them.

Thanks!

More wing area, less sweep angle than a GLEX, to begin with. They also are about 5,000 pounds less gross weight for any specific trip. But, they do operate at higher speeds, especially the G450.

GF

Well said. The 5/550 has an amazing wing but it is so big that it actual prohibits it from Santa Monica as well as certain taxiways at various airports.

More trivia, as opposed to the Gulfstream's main competitor, the GLEX:

Vmcg (GLEX) is 80 KAS v. 107 KIAS (GLF). Vmcg defines lowest take-off speeds.

Vmca (GLEX) is 86 KIAS v. 112 KAS (GLF). Vmca defines minimum engine-out speeds airborne.

The GLF has about 100 square feet more wing area and weighs, as I said, about 5,000 pounds less for similar missions. Field lengths for a GLEX are abou 500' greater, but sometimes the GLEX needs all that help to fly the same mission.

GF

Interesting about the vmcg/vmca... those probably aren't bullet points most customers see

For the original poster, the Lear 60 doesn't have any leading edge devices as well.... but it is absolutely covered with every type of boundary layer energizer you can imagine :) and our ref speeds are pretty high! (128-139 kts)

Thanks for the quick reply's and yes I did forget about the lear series of aircraft.

The new G280 wing looks good, as do the performance numbers.

Got a tour of it at NBAA this week. It looks real good!