Newly Certified Business Jets

The world of business aviation has seen a lot of newcomers in past months. Three business aircraft recently received their certifications, two of which (the Falcon 7X and the Citation Mustang) are using groundbreaking technology never before seen in the business jet sector. Each business jet has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each faces a different set of competing jets on the market.

The newest jet of the group is the Dassault Falcon 7X, which received its full certification from both the FAA and the EASA in May 2007. This jet has been the cause of much hype across the industry due to its complete fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control systems. Although FBW has been used to a small extent in some business jets, never before has a business jet completely taken advantage of the new technology. The FBW system will increase overall flight performance, reduce weight, and improve reliability.

In addition to its landmark use of FBW technology, the Falcon 7X is the first jet to use an all-virtual design and manufacturing process. The use of the virtual design cut development time by almost fifty percent and reduced errors throughout the entire process.

The Falcon 7X is designed to compete with long-range business jets such as the Gulfstream 550 and the Global Express. It has a maximum range of 6,070 nautical miles while carrying four passengers. It burns significantly less fuel than its competitors, cruises at slightly higher speeds, and features three high-performing PW307A engines. More than 160 confirmed orders have been placed for this $40.6 million business jet.

On the other end of the business jet spectrum lies the Citation Mustang, the 8,600 pound VLJ. The Citation Mustang received its full type certification from the FAA in September of 2006, the first VLJ to do so. It lies on the higher end of the VLJ scale with a purchase price of $2.5 million, but also with higher performance standards than the rest of the VLJ market.

The Citation Mustang can fly four passengers 1,000 nautical miles in three hours and twenty minutes. Fuel consumption for such a trip would be 1,715 pounds, making the Mustang remarkably efficient to fly. Like all of the VLJs, it is certified for single-pilot operation. Required runway length at sea level is just 3,110 feet. It can carry a maximum of five passengers in its 9.8 foot long cabin and reach cruise speeds of up to 339 ktas.

The Mustang’s PW615F engines were specifically designed for VLJs and deliver the high levels of performance that Pratt & Whitney are known for. Similarly, the Garmin 1000 avionics system was designed especially for VLJs, but still delivers everything the flight deck of a larger business jet would have. To date, 250 orders have been placed for the Citation Mustang, making it one of the most successful business jets ever to hit the market. The next available delivery date is in late 2009.

Gulfstream’s latest addition to the business jet market, the G150, received its certification in November of 2005. The G150 is a derivative of the G100, with changes to some of its structures, avionics, and cabin.

The most noticeable feature of the G150 is the cabin: Gulfstream went to great lengths to make it one of the widest cabins in its class, resulting in a 95 cubic-foot increase in overall cabin volume from the G100. The interior has been entirely redone, resulting in more comfortable, luxurious flights. Passengers should also appreciate the G150’s flexible wings, which result in much smoother handling in turbulent regions.

The entire flight deck has been upgraded from the Pro Line 4 suite to the Pro Line 21 suite. Two Honeywell TFE 731-40AR-200G engines are used on the G150, the same models used on the G100. Major modifications were made to the nose, resulting in dramatically reduced drag. The range of the G150 benefits from the structural modifications: when loaded with four passengers and required NBAA IFR fuel reserves, the G150 can fly 3,018 nautical miles, slightly under the G100’s range capabilities. Its cruise speeds make up for its reduced range: its maximum speed is 475 ktas and its long-range cruise speed is 430 ktas.

The first G150s were delivered in late 2006. Their current sale price is $13.95 million.