GRAHAM WARWICK / SAVANNAH
Gulfstream seeks to shed 300kg to meet NetJets' London-New York requirement
Gulfstream is bringing down the weight of the G200 to achieve the range performance promised by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) when it launched the super mid-size business jet as the Galaxy. Improved range was a condition of last year's $2 billion order from fractional-ownership operator NetJets for 50 firm and 50 option G200s.
The Galaxy was advertised with a 6,600km (3,600nm) range, but fell short because it was 270kg (600lb) overweight. Gulfstream aims to reduce the G200's weight by at least 300kg and has so far validated 160kg of savings, which will be incorporated from aircraft number 52, the first for NetJets, due for delivery in June.
The weight savings and aerodynamic improvements will allow the G200 to fly four passengers from London to New York against 85% winds. "That's the capability asked for by NetJets," says Gulfstream president Bill Boisture.
The US company and revenue-sharing partner IAI are also tackling issues which have lingered since the G200 entered service as the Galaxy in January 1999, with the aim of bringing dispatch reliability and product support up to Gulfstream levels. Fixes have been incorporated to prevent vented fuel entering the aft equipment bay, cure cabin environment fluctuations and speed main landing-gear extension and retraction.
This month, fixes will be introduced to reduce the failure rate on starter/generators, flap and slat control units and environmental-control ducting. Gulfstream expects the fixes to increase G200 dispatch reliability from under 95% to around 99% next year, says Boisture. The G100 (formerly IAI Astra SPX) is averaging above 99%, similar to the GIV and GV.
Gulfstream and IAI plan to produce 33 G200s this year and 36 in 2003, with production of the mid-size G100 running at 1-1.5 a month.
Source: Flight International
