G150 - Initial Impressions?

[johnsonrod]

I know that the G150 is relatively new and there might not be too many operating at this time. Anyone seen one up close? Any initial impressions? I had heard that it was runway restricted and not a great performer in the climb (unlike the Sovereign). I am aware that Netjets cancelled a big order for G150s as well. Has anyone on this board looked at the G150 or compared this aircraft with competing aircraft for your own flight departments?

BTW, Flying Magazine has a good article about flying the G150 on a few transcon flights. Not surprising that Flying would praise this aircraft like it was the best aircraft ever - Gulfstream buys a lot of advertising in Flying.

Anyone have any initial impressions of the aircraft beyond the fact that it is probably much more comfortable than the Astra?

 

[LR60BOY]

It's ugly.

 

[Hopeless_in_GA]

Agreed, it's not the cutest kid on th ramp.

 

[sleepy]

I looked inside one when Gulfstream brought it by our hanger. I was not really impressed with the cabin. Never flown it, so I can't say anything about that. I have been flying a Sovereign a little lately. The cabin is nicer than the 150, it handles like a truck, but for the money has pretty good performance (same as a Hawker 800XP but with a nicer cabin and much more baggage space).

 

[hawkerjet]

Sleepy, you've got a run on sentence going on back there. Are you saying the sovereign has the same performance as the 800XP ? I thought the 680 was a beast!

 

[snow-back]

It's a fast, fuel efficient, de-Astra-ized, mid-size jet...plus it comes with Gulfstream Product Support. It's not a large cabin Gulfstream, nor was it designed to be. It was designed to replace the Astra SPX/G100 and hopefully be a stepping stone aircraft up to the G200, 450, 550, etc. I haven't flown it, but from all accounts, it easily meets all it's advertised numbers.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?...FP&photo_nr=6&prev_id=1047148&next_id=0916994

 

[svcta]

I fly a 100, and say what you will, it does what it is supposed to. It's fast, efficient, ugly, small cabin, gets in and out of small runways well for a swept wing a/c, is dead simple to fly, and ours has proven to be pretty dam reliable.

The de-astraizing that would take place with the 150 would probably make it better. I don't know much about what they did to it, but I seem to remember upgraded FMS(?) I saw a mock up once that had Collins if memory serves.

 

[On Your Six]

It's a fast, fuel efficient, de-Astra-ized, mid-size jet...plus it comes with Gulfstream Product Support. It's not a large cabin Gulfstream, nor was it designed to be. It was designed to replace the Astra SPX/G100 and hopefully be a stepping stone aircraft up to the G200, 450, 550, etc. I haven't flown it, but from all accounts, it easily meets all it's advertised numbers.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?...FP&photo_nr=6&prev_id=1047148&next_id=0916994

Can someone explain two things:

1. Why did Netjets drop its order?

2. What was the hub-bub regarding runway restrictions?

 

[LJ45]

I looked at the G150 the other day. I didn't like:

- the baggage compartment size and having to stand on a ladder.
They should have put fold down steps on the door like the G200 or Excel.

- Baggage still a little small, ok for some folks.

- the akward latches on the baggage door.

- low clearance thru the main cabin door.

- the cabin should have been long enough to hold a double club.

highlights:

-really nice cockpit avionics.

 

[ttflyer]

Can someone explain two things:

1. Why did Netjets drop its order?

2. What was the hub-bub regarding runway restrictions?

I don't have any direct knowlege, but I think it's a ground loving SOB (like the G-200) particularly hot + high....

Maybe someone can correct me...

 

[CitationCapt]

I've got a mark on my head from the low door clearance.

CC

 

[snow-back]

Sheesh you guys. It's a small, mid-cabin jet. What do you expect?

 

[LJ45]

Sheesh you guys. It's a small, mid-cabin jet. What do you expect?

Well...questions asked, questions answered.

What do you expect?

 

[On Your Six]

I saw the Flying Mag in the airport and the Pro Line 21 with the huge screens looks nice (kinda like the CL300). The cabin looks more spacious than the G100 cabin but it doesn't look as comfortable as other mid-sized jets out there. Maybe it is a little wider (which is nice). I think the Sovereign cabin is pretty comfortable having sat in one recently - but that's only my opinion.

Looks like the pilots would be happy though in that bird - a real nice cockpit if you get the Wx options, etc.

 

[hgi2006]

We have a G150. It has a rear CG issue (can't carry full fuel and no pax), and has some anti-ice/deice problems. It flies much better than the G100, and needs < 5000 of runway to go coast to coast with two pax. I'd recommend we purchased another one if we had the need.

 

[hawkerjet]

Did they get rid of the tiller in the G150? I remember taxiing a WW and it felt like riding down a hill on a shopping cart with a wobbly wheel, and that was a good day.

 

[On Your Six]

We have a G150. It has a rear CG issue (can't carry full fuel and no pax), and has some anti-ice/deice problems. It flies much better than the G100, and needs < 5000 of runway to go coast to coast with two pax. I'd recommend we purchased another one if we had the need.

What do you think about the avionics package? Is it reliably West Coast-Hawaii capable? Also, any idea on how many have been ordered in the US? I know Netjets cancelled a big order. Nice article in Flying.

 

[ultrarunner]

We have a G150. It has a rear CG issue (can't carry full fuel and no pax)

How often you gonna fly 2500nm with no pax??

 

[~~~^~~~]

Did NetJets cancel the whole order? I was searching for news on this and could not find anything.

 

[2Inverted]

Deicing boots on a Jet ?
That brings back Navajoe memories best left suppressed...