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G150 Cockpit Adopts PlaneView Design Standards
Step into the G150 cockpit mock-up with Pro Line 21 avionics at the Gulfstream Aerospace exhibit (Booth 1160) and you'll notice plenty of differences compared with the G100 and G200. The latest Gulfstream embraces much of the award-winning PlaneView design philosophy, complete with the largest possible displays, full-screen attitude indicators on the PFDs and other intuitive pilot interface features.
Four 13.3-inch diagonal displays dominate the instrument panel, the largest such LCDs available from Rockwell-Collins for business aircraft. The glareshield panel now houses the left and right side display controllers, flanking the digital flight guidance control panel in the center. TCAS and terrain visual alerts automatically pop up on the displays should a threat occur, just like the functions built into PlaneView cockpits. A solid-state, three-in-one Thales electronic standby instrument system replaces the electro-mechanical standby flight instruments in the G100.
Dual FMS-6000s with GPS sensors are standard, including a full performance management function. These units have Do 178B Level B software, so pilots can rely upon them to provide accurate takeoff, OEI climb and landing data. The suite also includes Pro Line 21 CNS radios tuned through the FMS CDUs, in keeping with the PlaneView cockpit design standards.
The standard package includes dual ADC-3000s, dual AHS-3000 AHRS, full EICAS (though no system synoptics), dual digital audio panels and the well proven TWR-850 Doppler turbulence detection weather radar, plus single HF and ADF radios.
Fully certified Class III EFB e-charts will be optional as part of Rockwell Collins' integrated flight information system (IFIS). The e-charts are linked to the FMS flight plan, so a full chart pack is available at the touch of a button for departure, destination and alternate airports. Weather data link and enhanced map overlays also are included with the IFIS package. Other options include dual HF and ADF radios.
Up front, the G150 also is a lot more comfortable than the G100. The airframe may be a derivative of the G100, but pilots will find the cockpit 12 inches wider, two inches higher and seven inches longer, affording taller pilots much-appreciated additional room. The side ledges are seven inches wide and a dedicated area is on the right side, with a wash light, to hold an approach plate.
The G150 gets a digital steer-by-wire system, plus limited nosewheel steering through the rudder pedals, just like the big Gulfstreams. Two position speed brakes will allow pilots to slow down with less airframe buffeting. An automatic ground spoiler function, with both rejected takeoff and landing modes, is part of the package.
Plenty of reliability enhancements have been incorporated into the G150 design based upon four meetings with Gulfstream's customer advisory board. Honeywell's RE100 APU, for example, will replace the 36-150 model on the G100. Honeywell also was tapped to supply a digital pressurization controller with function indications displayed on the MFD. The G150 will have a G450-inspired cabin temperature controller and PlaneView style EFIS reversion controls.
The G150 will be fully MSG3 compliant, including all cabin systems. Basic inspection intervals are 500 hours, in large part due to requirements set forth by NetJets, which has 50 orders and 50 options for the aircraft.
The $13.5 million G150, powered by uprated Honeywell TFE731-40 turbofans, will be able to carry four passengers 2,400+ nmi at 0.80 Mach and land with NBAA IFR reserves. This provides White Plains to Orange County range against 85 percent probability headwinds. Slow down to 0.75 Mach and you'll be able to fly 2,700+ nmi with four pax or 2,575 nmi with six folks in back.
First flight is slated for May 2005, with type certification scheduled for first quarter 2006. Initial customer deliveries should occur in third quarter 2006.
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