easycharter’s Aircraft of the Month for November 2021 is Gulfstream’s G280!
In a press release on October 12, Gulfstream announced a series of new avionics and cabin upgrades to its G280 business jet.
Gulfstream announced the new G280 upgrade package following the unveiling of their newest business jets, the G400 and G800, during a launch ceremony at their headquarters in Savannah.
Avionics and Cabin Upgrades to the G280…
New enhancements to the G280’s PlaneView280™ cockpit system include a SiriusXM graphical weather with real-time updates, dual electronic charts, and a new surface management system that provides verbal cues on unsafe ground and arrival conditions.
To provide pilots with the ability to perform CPDLC messaging in en-route airspace, the G280’s controller-to-pilot-data-link-data-communications-system is now “FANS-E” complaint.
The new upgrade also includes upgrades to vertical weather and predictive wind shear information.
In addition, the aircraft’s RVSM height-monitoring validation interval has been shortened from 96 to 24 months.
Cabin upgrades in the new version of the G280 include an option for Gulfstream’s plasma ionization clean air system.
Back in March, Gulfstream announced that its G280 has met the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s new Stage 5 standards for noise limits for subsonic aircraft, a sign of its continuous commitment to the future of the G280 program, in terms of safety, performance, or noise emissions.
More about the G280…
The Gulfstream G280 is a super-midsize twin-engine business jet, certified for steep-approach operations. The aircraft’s revolutionary wing design and engine technology contribute to optimal fuel efficiency, hence lower operating costs and a better environmental sustainability profile.
On the outside, the G280 is 20.37 m long, 6.5 m high, with an overall wingspan of 19.2 m.
On the inside, the aircraft’s cabin is 7.87 m long (excluding baggage), 2.11 m wide, with a standup height of 1.85 m. It includes up to two elegantly furnished living spaces, can seat up to ten passengers. It has sleep accommodations for five passengers.
Hundred percent fresh air, natural light from 19 large oval windows, and low cabin altitude all contribute to overall passenger comfort. Each interior configuration supports a fully equipped galley, an airy lavatory featuring two windows, and a full-size closet. The aircraft’s baggage compartment is generous, with a capacity of 3.4 m3.
Two Honeywell HTF7250G whisper-quiet engines power the G280, each producing ≈ 33.9 kN of thrust. It can cruise at a maximum speed of 0.85 Mach. Its long-range cruise speed is equivalent to 0.8 Mach. To deliver a peaceful and smooth ride, the aircraft’s engines are paired with standard autothrottle and auto brake systems. Operating under NBAA IFR 4 passengers with available fuel, the G280’s range is 3’600 nm, equivalent to 6,667 km. Its maximum operating altitude is 13,716 m.
Standard avionics on the G280 include a PlaneView280™ cockpit, EVS II and HUD II, and Gulfstream Cursor Control Devices (CCD). The enhanced flight vision system allows pilots to land without natural vision in low-visibility conditions, increasing access to airports. To further boost pilots’ situational awareness, the synthetic vision primary flight display features 3D graphics of terrain and runways.
