The G400 (pictured right) is one of Gulfstream’s two newest aircraft, along with the G800. The pair bring the Savannah-based OEM’s large cabin family up to six aircraft, each jet sitting at either end of the class. But how does the new “entry-level” G400 compare to its classmates?
The G400, born out of G500 and G600, with a 4200 nm range is intended to fill the gap between the G280 and G500. Scheduled to begin flight testing by early 2023 with market entry set for 2025, the G400 will act as the entry-level aircraft in Gulfstream’s large-cabin range. Priced at $34.5m, the G400 is at least $3.5m lower in price than the aircraft it is replacing, a new G450 (pictured right), can be anything from $38m-$45m.
The G400 comes into a market in which its builder has had success in before. Gulfstream built 359 G450s, its predecessor, between 2005 and 2017, according to AMSTAT data. The aircraft proved popular, today just 5.44%, or 19, of the active fleet of 349 are for sale.
The G400 has a range of 4,200 nm (7,778 km) at Mach 0.85 or 3,950 nm at Mach 0.88 with a maximum speed of 0.90. Allowing non-stop flights from New York to Brasilia, Dakar, London, Los Angeles, Lima, or Moscow. In comparison the G450 has a range of 4345nm (8,047km) at Mach 0.80 and a maximum speed of Mach 0.88.
The power comes from two 13,496-pound-thrust PW812GA turbofans, these offer 22% lower emissions than other engines in its class, also meeting Stage 5 noise limits, according to Gulfstream. Whereas the G450 gets its power from two Rolls Royce Tay Mark 611-8C turbofan engines, each providing 61.6kN thrust.
The G400 will be able to climb directly to 41,000 ft , say Gulfstream. Whilst maximum cruise altitude is planned to be 51,000 ft. For comparison, the G450 can cruise at an altitude up to 45,000 ft and it can climb to 41,000 ft in 23 minutes.
The new G400 will have seating for up to 12 passengers across three zones and an aft lavatory. There is also an option for a two-zone, nine-seat configuration which will have both forward and aft lavatories. There is more room on a G450, the cabin can seat up to 19 passengers. Whilst there are customisable cabin configurations, it has three separately controlled temperature zones with fresh air air-conditioning and 12 heated oval widows; two more than the G450’s 10.
The G400’s nearly 42.5ft cabin is longer than the G400, at 41 ft. Although total cabin volume is at at 1,441cubic ft cabin, thanks to its 6.25-foot height and 7.6-foot width. The G450’s cabin at 7 ft wide by 6 ft tall gives it a total cabin volume of 1525 cu ft.
For pilots, the G400 follows in the footsteps of the G450 in terms of technology and safety. The Symmetry flight deck includes standard dual head-up displays with a new combined vision system that allows for landing in low-visibility conditions. The jet will also have the predictive landing system. If the predicted landing distance exceeds the available runway length, the system warns the pilots to go around.
The G450 features a Gulfstream enhanced vision system (EVS) with a Honeywell HUD 2020 head up display. The EVS, developed by Gulfstream and Kollsman, was the first vision system of its type to be certified by the FAA.
