The Gulfstream G600 is a twin-engine business jet clean-sheet design that is designated the GVII-G600.

 

The aircraft is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800-series engines that are promoted as improving fuel efficiency and performance, while reducing emissions and noise.

 

Beyond the improvements provided to the PW800 series—which shares a number of components in common with Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine—the presence of a non- Rolls-Royce engine on a “purely U.S.-designed” Gulfstream jet also represents a significant change for the airframe manufacturer.

 

The first G600 test airframe, registered as N600G, made its first flight from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport on Dec. 17, 2016, with first delivery occurring Aug. 8, 2019.

"It’s quite apparent that the cockpit was designed to appeal to a younger generation of pilots who grew up with touch-screen PDAs. As with consumer electronics, Symmetry’s touch screens have up, down, left, right screen finger-swipe actions for frequently used functions, such as radio tuning, FMS phase of flight, flight plan editing and notepad."

 

- Fred George, Aviation Week Network Senior Aircraft Evaluation Editor

The G600’s avionics system, dubbed by Gulfstream the Symmetry Flight Deck, is “based on” Honeywell’s Primus Epic integrated avionics system and incorporates “active control sidesticks,” “integrated touchscreen controllers” and Honeywell’s Next Generation Flight Management System.

 

Other features of the G600’s avionics include enhanced and synthetic vision systems, with the former described as being “third generation” and able to be shown on a head-up display, while the latter is shown on the primary flight display.

The aircraft will spend less time in the shop and more time in the air as it is designed to be MSG-3 task compliant. Scheduled maintenance intervals are 750 hr.

MRO Market Demand 2019 – 2028

Best of all is the G600’s price and value. While it clearly outshines the G550 in dozens of areas, it also carries a $5.3 million lower price tag, according to BCA’s 2019 Purchase Planning Handbook. A well-equipped aircraft lists for $57.9 million, not including Ka-band Wi-Fi satcom.

In-Service Fleet Share

Gulfstream customers were content to cruise at Mach 0.80 in the 20th century. Now, they want to travel no slower than the latest generation of 21st century long-range jetliners such as the Boeing 777 and 787, and Airbus A350 and A380, which cruise at Mach 0.85. They’re also anxious to embrace new technologies, based on a BCA survey.

 

"My principal always wants the latest and greatest in new airplanes. That’s why he bought his G650ER. That’s why he’s buying the G600."

 

- Chief pilot of a firm based in the Middle East that purchased an early serial number aircraft