History of Gulfstream
Part 2

Success Beyond Measure

With the success of the Gulfstream II Grumman moved its Gulfstream operations to Savannah, Georgia, September of 1967 to split its aircraft manufacturing business into military and civilian divisions and improve efficiency. Gulfstream would save on labor costs, a large labor supply, available land and year round favorable weather conditions. This cost savings advantage was applied directly towards the newest Gulfstream model.

On December 2, 1979 the Gulfstream GIII made its first flight, a long 13 years after its predecessor. It shocked the world by stretching the limits of fuel efficiency 23 percent over the Gulfstream GII. The GIII can travel 3,760 nautical miles (6,964 kilometers) with its new wing design plus the addition of winglets. This allowed businessmen to fly from NY to London without stopping. The GIII is also capable of flying from London to NY (against the Jet Stream) nonstop given favorable wind conditions. In November of 1983 the G3 became the first business jet to fly over both the north and south poles. The GIII entered service in late 1980. More than 200 GIIIs were sold between 1980 and 1986.

G3 General characteristics [4]
• Crew: 2+
• Capacity: 19 passengers
• Length: 83 ft 1 in (25.32 m)
• Wingspan: 77 ft 10 in (23.72 m)
• Height: 24 ft 4½ in (7.43 m)
• Wing area: 934.6 sq ft (86.83 m²)
• Empty weight: 38,000 lb (17,236 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 69,700 lb (31,615 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Spey RB.163 Mk 511-8 Turbofan, 11,400 lbf (50.7 kN) each

Performance
• Cruise speed: 508 mph (442 knots, 818 km/h)
• Range: 4,200 mi (3,650 nmi, 6,760 km) (eight passengers, IFR reserves)
• Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m)
• Rate of climb: 3,800 ft/min (19.3 m/s)

[4] ** Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994–95

Creating a Legend

In March of 1983 Gulfstream started to develop a stretched version of the GIII with newer, efficient Rolls Royce Tay engine. This allowed Gulfstream to revolutionize business aviation with intercontinental range and advanced cockpit and cabin technology. The new, large yet light wing gave the GIV a 4,300-nautical-mile (7,964-kilometer) range at a Mach .80 cruising speed. Gulfstream added digital flight management computers (the first in a civil aviation aircraft) increasing fuel efficiency while reducing pilot workload. They added satellite communications to the cabin for worldwide access to ground base land lines. The GIV first flew on September 19, 1985, and was entered into service in August 1987. In 1993, Gulfstream produced the Gulfstream GIV-SP giving crews and owners better flexibility. More than 500 GIV and GIV-SPs were sold.

Gulfstream went on to produce variations of the GIV platform. The G300 has a reduced fuel capacity with a reduced amount of avionics giving the customer the opportunity to purchase a large cabin Gulfstream without the range of the GIV SP. The GIV was eventually designated the G400 shortly before production ended.

In 2001 Gulfstream developed the G450. Gulfstream installed Plane View avionics, a larger cockpit area and newer avionics along with minor modifications to the wing and airframe to increase the range and efficiency. FADEC was also installed for better fuel efficiency and engine performance. The Gulfstream 350 was later added to the fleet offering a shorter range version of the G450.

G3 General characteristics [4]
• Crew: 2+
• Capacity: 19 passengers
• Length: 88 ft 4 in to 89 ft 4 in in (26.9 m to 27.2m)
• Wingspan: 77 ft 10 in (23.72 m)
• Height: 24 ft 5 in to 25 ft 2 in (7.44 m to 7.67 m)
• Wing area: 1,137 ft² (105.6 m²)
• Empty weight: 35,500 lb (16,100 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 74,600 lb (33, 800 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce BR710A1-10 turbofan, 14,750 lbf (65 kN) each

Performance
• Cruise speed: .8 Mach
• Range: 4,200 mi (3,650 nmi, 6,760 km) (eight passengers, IFR reserves)
• Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
• Rate of climb: 3,800 ft/min (19.3 m/s)

[4] ** Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994–95

Conclusion Part 2

By the end of the 90's a legend had been born. The Gulfstream GIV became one of the most luxurious and beloved aircraft. Pilots flocked to fly it, clients ordered years in advance, and the company thrived. The success of the GIV led to an explosion in value for the company which led to a transition time within the company. Read about this transition phase in the third part.

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