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Dassault 7X - flagship of the range
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BIG IRON The top 7
Ultra-long range aircraft head the traditional business jet hierarchy, offering the best dedicated cabins, technology, and performance. There are quite a few models to choose from so Altitudes compares the leaders to see if there is a clear winner. BY Ivan Veretennikov
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T
here are various classifications of business jets, but it seems fair to say that seven models can be consi-
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dered ultra-long range aircraft. The G650 offers a whopping 12,964 km non-stop flights, and the G450 closes the list with 8056 km. Indeed, until the appearance of the sleek and stylish Dassault Falcon 7X in 2003, just two manufacturers, namely Gulfstream and Bombardier, dominated this end of the market. It’s a lucrative place to be, with profit margins reaching maximums and demand being least affected by economic fluctuations. At the economic high point, just before crisis struck in 2008, these jets enjoyed an order backlog of up to 6 years, while earlier delivery slots were sold at huge premiums. Since then only one new plane has come to market – or, to be more precise – should be coming in the next few months. That is the new Gulfstream flagship, costing even more than its siblings, but offering the first clean-sheet design from this manufacturer since the GIII and performance that outdoes all competition. The new members of the Bombardier Global family that were announced at last year’s NBAA in Atlanta – the 7000 and 8000 – will also be clean-sheet designs, and their design goals are even higher… but for now they remain quite remote, with deliveries slotted to start in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Therefore, we will be looking at the following models: The G450, G500, G550, and G650 by Gulfstream; the Global 5000 and Global 6000 (recently rebranded from the Global Express XRS) by Bombardier; and the Dassault Falcon 7X.
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Many buyers are upgrade customers who's loyalty is very high
The Tools Personal impressions are very important in choosing an aircraft, and very often a decision to buy is made as much on impulse as based on solid figures. However, if our comparison is to be at all credible, we need reliable sources of information for the analysis. Many of the specifications and performance figures come from the Altitudes own database, especially those used in the Global Guide to Bizjets and Helicopters. Some come from sources such as the Business & Commercial Aviation Purchase Planning Handbook, and operating costs figures are sourced from available information by Conklin & de Decker. Upcast JetBook, the handy iPad app that allows quick access to relevant figures and aircraft comparisons, was used alongside the UpRate coefficient, developed by its publisher. By performing certain calculations based on the price, range, cabin size, and max takeoff weight, it is possible to understand the relative efficiency of each aircraft, and this also serves as an indication of value for money: the less you pay for the best performance, the higher the ratio. The Brands These three manufacturers are the best in their business. A ULR aircraft must have close-to-perfect aerodynamics, an advanced wing, light structure, high-altitude capability, and they must be able
There is no such thing as a bad aeroplane, especially at this level
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Luxurious cabins are important - this is where the flying is done
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Personal impressions are very important in choosing an aircraft and often a decision to buy is based as much on impulse as solid figures
to carry a significant fuel load. Bombardier, Dassault, and Gulfstream have made some of the best business aircraft in history, and have come out as the only ones with these long-range marvels in their lineup. The Globals win in cabin size, with width being the key factor: Bombardier jets tend to be a lot wider than the competition, which creates a feeling of space that the others don’t quite match. Advanced GlobalVision integrated flight decks and powerful Rolls Royce BR710 engines (the same type as those installed on the G500/G550) ensure a safe and fast ride, as well as good rate of climb, bettered only by the 7X. In Dassault you pay extra for technology: it’s the most modern of the seven (bar the G650) and features fly-by-wire, three extremely efficient and quiet Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 307A engines, interceptor-like accuracy and dynamics – the Dassault military heritage sure helps – plus a cockpit that is as ergonomic as it is advanced. This helps it achieve the lowest variable costs of the competition, as well as lowest depreciation rates. Gulfstream has always been the film star: overt luxury, huge windows, state-of-the-art technology, and – if emotions are anything to go by – tangible sex appeal. There is no such thing as a bad aeroplane, especially at this level, but each brand is very individual and unique. You will probably make your first choice based on just the looks. The Display The seven business jets are relatively close in their UpRate, with the drop from the highest G650 to the lowest G450 constituting just 3.367 – to put this in perspective, the difference between the BBJ and the Citation Mustang is an enormous 21.854. A look at the comparison table will show, however, that the dispersion of key characteristics is much greater. For example, the Global 6000 will cost around $57,500,000 and offer a cabin volume of 60.6 m3, while the significantly cheaper Falcon 7X priced at $48,600,000 (that’s 15.5% cheaper) has a cabin volume of 42.48 m3 (almost 30% less). But while the 7X is a lot more…cozy, it wins back points in its range, which is almost the same as that of the Global 6000 (11,019 km VS 11,344 km). As a buyer, you will be interested in the interior – after all this is where the flying will be done. As mentioned above, Bombardier jets tend to be wider, offering a different cabin feel. More space
The seven jets are relatively close in their Up Rate
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Global 6000
G500
G550
Global 5000
Falcon 7X
G450
Manufacturer
Gulfstream
Bombardier
Gulfstream
Gulfstream
Bombardier
Dassaul
Gulfstream
Relative Efficienty UpRate (1)
11,632
10,922
10,488
10,380
9,926
9,190
8,265
Price Tag
US$ 64 500 000 US$ 57 500 000 US$ 45 500 000 US$ 53 500 000 US$ 49 100 000 US$ 48 600 000 US$ 39 000 000
Range (NM)
7 000
6 125
5 800
6 750
4 954
5 949
4 349
Cabin Vol m3
60,54
60,60
47,26
47,26
57,26
42,48
43,18
MTOW kg (2)
45 178
43 091
38 601
41 277
39 780
31 298
33 520
Variable Costs ($/h) (3)
-
US$ 4 718
US$ 4 093
US$ 4 106
US$ 4 659
US$ 3 389
US$ 4 017
Yearly Fixed Costs (4)
-
US$ 925 895
US$ 966 853
US$ 974 854
US$ 916 628
US$ 860 363
US$ 821 788
Cabin Size
Arrangement
+
Today's best of Better value for Better value for Large cabin. Enormous range. the best. Clean- relative efficiency relative efficiency Less expensive Cabin windows. sheet design. than the G550. than the G550. than G6000.
Hi-tech. Fuel efficiency. Slow depreciation.
Great value. Low costs.
-
Expensive. Long Shorter range. Shorter range. High fixed costs. delivery time. High fixed costs. High fixed costs.
Smaller cabin. Lower Dollar to space ratio.
Less range. Smaller cabin.
High variable costs.
1. RELATIVE EFFICIENCY IS THE CORRESPONDENCE OF MAX TAKEOFF WEIGHT, RANGE AND CABIN VOLUME, DIVIDED BY THE LIST PRICE. 2. MTOW IS MAXIMUM TAKEOFF WEIGHT. 3.VARIABLE COSTS ARE FUEL, CREW AND MAINTENANCE. 4. YEARLY FIXED COSTS ARE WHAT YOU PAY EVEN IF YOU DON'T FLY AND INCLUDE HANGERAGE INSURANCE ETC.
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Ultra long range business jets are the most advanced expensive and capable aircraft designed specifically for the needs of business to move around in, while all the equipment options you would expect on a modern business jet, including connectivity, entertainment, lighting, galley, etc. will be available. The pressurization system may behave a bit more jerkily than that of the competition, though the cabin altitude is just 1800 m when any one of the Globals is flying at its maximum altitude of 15545 m. – exactly the same as the G550 and Falcon 7X. The G650 promises to settle the dispute with a much lower (1480 m) cabin altitude at the same ceiling. Dassault always make a point of having very quiet cabins, and the 7X is a benchmark in this respect with a 52 dB cabin noise level – comparable to a car – thanks to an advanced engine mount system and various improvements in sound insulation. As for space, the 7X offers the smallest volume of the business jets mentioned in this article – however, it is still a stand-up cabin that betters aircraft such as the Embraer Legacy 600 and Dassault Falcon 900. The huge windows are Gulfstream’s big advantage in terms of cabin comfort, though the other indicators are also top-notch. An all-new philosophy was born in the making of the G650. It will have a high-tech cabin boasting great systems redundancy, powered chairs, modern touch screen controls, and even a special application for Apple devices such as the iPhone or iPad that will allow a passenger to control most settings without ever touching a remote. This concept has since been implemented in the G450 and G280, albeit with less functionality, and will make the travel experience much more technological.
There are no losers in this class
The Conclusion Ultra-long range bizjets are the most advanced, expensive, and capable aircraft designed specifically for the needs of business, and any one of them is a state-of-the-art machine with great productivity, low depreciation, and a high appetite. They only make sense when long trips constitute most of your travelling – unless the acquisition is made for status reasons or the will to get “simply the best” – but will sell well on the charter market and finally return a large share of the investment on the pre-owned market. The initial choice will usually be between the brands. Many buyers are upgrade customers, whose loyalty is very high, while most first-time shoppers will already form an impression of the aeroplane they want from the first few displays or demo flights. There is no place for emotions in an analysis, however, so we would be better off basing some conclusions on solid figures. The G650 is the new king, offering the best of the best at the highest price. The nearest available slots are said to be around 2017, with a big line of customers wanting the most modern offer from Gulfstream. The Global 6000 and G550 are aimed squarely at each other, with the Global 6000 being $4 million more expensive, but offering a significantly larger cabin. This in turn is countered by a greater maximum range of the Gulfstream. The G500 flies farther than the Global 5000 and costs less, but yet again loses a lot in cabin size. The Falcon 7X is in a league of its own, with a high dollar per cubic metre ratio and a smaller cabin than the rest of the competition, yet offering advanced technology, up to 35% better fuel economy, lower operating costs, and the quietest cabin in its class. The G450, although being at the bottom of the table in range, will still connect you with all of Europe, Africa, and Asia out of Dubai, and the East Coast of the US, as well as most of Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Russia out of Europe. Its attractive price tag and the signature Gulfstream aftersales support also make it a great option, especially for those who can carefully balance their needs and budget. It is safe to say there are no losers in this class. All models have been immensely successful and in demand among High Net Worth Individuals, governments, and corporations worldwide, with sales continuing and deliveries going on. This market segment has also been the least affected by the economic turbulence, so they can all be regarded as the best investment of money – not ❚ to mention a great business tool.
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