Gulfstream G550
The Gulfstream G500 and G550 are business jet aircraft produced by General Dynamics' Gulfstream Aerospace unit in Savannah, Georgia. They are marketing names for the Gulfstream V-SP. There were 450 Gulfstream G550s in active service as of January 2016.
Development
Gulfstream G500 shorter range version
The G500, a variant of the G550, was certified by the FAA in 2003. It was introduced into service in 2004. As a shorter range version of the G550, it has the same exterior appearance, as well as the PlaneView cockpit, but does not have the Enhanced Vision System (EVS) as standard equipment, although it is available as an option. It has a lower fuel capacity than the G550 for a range up to 5,800 nautical miles (10,700 km). The G500 was designed for an emerging market of customers who require the reliability of the G550, but not the range or the level of interior customization.
Gulfstream G550
The G550, a variant of the Gulfstream V, officially named the Gulfstream V-SP, was released to the market in 2003. It has increased performance. Range is increased to 6,750 nautical miles (12,500 km), mostly due to reductions in aerodynamic drag. The Gulfstream 550 has the longest flight range in its class. Additionally, this aircraft has a "PlaneView" cockpit, which consists of 4 Honeywell DU-1310 EFIS screens, a Gulfstream-designed cursor control system, and an Enhanced Vision System (EVS). EVS is an infrared camera that displays an image of the view in front of the camera on a head up display. The system permits the aircraft to land in lower-visibility instrument meteorological conditions than a non-EVS-equipped aircraft. This aircraft may be distinguished from the legacy Gulfstream V by a seventh passenger window on both sides of the aircraft, and by the square outflow valve on the aircraft right side as compared to the circular one on the GV. More than 182 Gulfstream G550 aircraft have been produced as of 2008.
