GIV vs. Falcon 900B

[falconpilot]

Ok.. Lets here it.. Pros and Cons... I need to know some numbers as far as runway performance and range. Total operating cost for the GIV and fuel burns for the GIV. We are thinking of upgrading to either to a 900B or C, but the 900 market is pretty high right now.. Theres alot of GIVs out there so there prices are better. Just wondering how the GIV compares to the 900. Ive flown the 900 but never the GIV, so I know enough about the 900, I just need some Gulfstream info..

 

[Learsforsale]

Ok.. Lets here it.. Pros and Cons... I need to know some numbers as far as runway performance and range. Total operating cost for the GIV and fuel burns for the GIV. We are thinking of upgrading to either to a 900B or C, but the 900 market is pretty high right now.. Theres alot of GIVs out there so there prices are better. Just wondering how the GIV compares to the 900. Ive flown the 900 but never the GIV, so I know enough about the 900, I just need some Gulfstream info..

I can help out a little with the market information, but it looks like you already have a pretty good idea of whats going on.

You are correct that there are more G-IVs available (29 G-IVs to 10 900Bs), but another thing to look at is the YTD sales and the annual sales over the past couple of years. The G-IV has averaged between 38 to 40 sales a year since 2002, but this year the market has really plummeted. So far this year there have only been 9 sales this year, and only 3 more are projected to sell this year. On the other hand, the Falcon 900B market has averaged about 24 annual sales. Already this year 24 900Bs have been sold (one of which we sold ) and there are 8 more projected to sell this year.

 

[g4800xp]

I think they are all selling their 900s to buy G4s. What would be an average mission for you? You will not beat Gulfstreams customer service, even if it is a used G4. Hands down, the best service, but then again in 6 years, we had very few problems with our G4, magnificant airplane. It burns a lot of Jet A, but you have mission flexability that few planes can match. Built like a brick, easy to fly, many parts carried over from the G1, they got it right early on. just my 2 cents

 

[crash-proof]

Neither - you need a Legacy 600.

 

[rice]

I know of one or two 900B's which may be available in the next few months or so. As far as I know niether of them are publicly listed as of now. Let me know if you want more info and I'll see what I can dig up.

 

[Waldom]

Neither - you need a Legacy 600.

I'm sure that is a fine machine but it will never replace the airplane.

 

[Rick1128]

Before you buy, talk with people who operate and especially maintain both. You will love the G4. Long legs, nice handling, very excellent support worldwide. The engines are horses. Start 'em up and go. Parts are readily available worldwide, which, in my experience, is not always the case with Falcon.

Get one with MSP on the APU and on the avionics. Both packages are well with the cost. Especially in peace of mind.

 

[AA717driver]

How tall are you? TC

 

[maximizer]

best of breed---go with da G

 

[falconpilot]

I know that the G customer service is great... But heres what I need...
Max range on GIV
Runway numbers for MGTOW
Flight planning Fuel Burns
Direct Op cost
etc...

 

[g4800xp]

I will need to look up exact #s but my longest leg was 8:43 held low for awhile and then fl 410, after about 4 or 5 hours allowed to 450 at .80.
I use 4400 the first hour, then 8000,11000,14000 17000,20000,21000,24000 burned. These are conservative burns but fairly accurate. Will hold @30000#. Another formula used is for flights over 3 hours, figure 3500# per hour. We can come off a 5400 foot strip and go from the Vineyard to London if I remember right, but we are temp limited. I will look it up.

 

[sleepy]

I have never flown a Gulfstream, but after flying the DA-900B for a few years, why would I want to?

 

[AA717driver]

I have never flown a Gulfstream, but after flying the DA-900B for a few years, why would I want to?

Ignorance is bliss! TC

 

[con-pilot]

I did a lot of research a few years ago comparing the Falcon 900EX versus the G-IVSP. We (the boss) decided to purchase the 900EX. We flew both aircraft from Aspen-Oklahoma City Wiley Post Airport-London Luton and return via the same routing except for stopping for customs at Bangor Maine.

Bottom line for choosing the 900EX was that it outperforms the G-IVSP out of Aspen where the boss lived.

Other contributing factors were;

1. Foward galley. I know you can have a foward galley in the G-IV, but it will cost more.

2. Three engines. As we were planing considerable Pacific operations the boss wanted three engines, and as an old 72 driver I couldn't argue that point.

3. Wider passenger cabin.

I flew both aircraft and to be honest the Falcon flies a lot nicer than the G-IV does. However, this was not a contributing factor, the boss didn't care which aircraft flew nicer.

Now on maximum long range missions the G-IV is faster than the 900EX, but you pay for that with higher operating cost.

Do not get me wrong here, the G-IVSP is a hell of an airplane, no doubt. I would have been very happy to have bought and operated the Gulfstream.

But, the bottom line is that the Falcon 900EX just does a better job regarding 'high and hot' airports than the G-IVSP.

One more point, this was before the EAsy Cockpit became standard on the 900.

Good luck, you'll enjoy flying either aircraft.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[rice]

One More Advantage

The 900 is also a true Cat C airplane. (Yeah I know you can buy the placard for the G-IV) May not mean much to most but for those of us who go into KASE on a regular basis its a great benefit. Also, circling to 33 (for winds IN VMC ONLY) would get my blood pressure up pretty high in a G-IV, in the 900 it's only slightly elevated.