The Gulfstream G450 is such an aircraft. At a glance, a new G450, first delivered to customers in 2005, looks virtually identical to a 20-year-old GIV. Given that the former can cost $35.85 million (2008 price) and the latter can be had used for $16 million, you may wonder what the G450 gives you for all that extra money.
A lot, actually. Range aside, you basically get a G550 in a shorter tube for around $10 million less. There are, in fact, so many similarities between a G550 and a G450 that a pilot can fly them with the same type-rating. And even though it doesn't share the 6,750-nautical-mile range of a G550, a G450 can still haul eight passengers and crew a fair spell down the road-4,350 nautical miles unrefueled.
However, when carefully compared with the older GIV, the G450 evidences some pronounced differences-even in the airframe. The G450's fuselage is 12 inches longer and the cabin entry door has been moved three feet to the right, creating a cockpit that is 30 percent larger. The larger cockpit provides plenty of room for a third crew seat on those longer missions. The G450's systems-avionics, electrical, engines and environmental-have all been reworked. The result is an airplane that is more economical, reliable, powerful, fuel-efficient and comfortable than its predecessor. Pilots say it flies better, too.
Start with the engines. The Rolls-Royce Tays that made their debut on the GIV (certified in 1987) have been updated with more durable components that allow for an astonishing 12,000 hours recommended time between overhauls. That is probably longer than you-and the next two owners combined-will own the airplane. The engines also have been fitted with digital controls and tweaked to produce slightly more power and fuel efficiency. They push the G450 to speeds up to 476 knots. Thanks to new thrust reversers, the aircraft stops shorter as well (in 3,190 feet at maximum landing weight). The maintenance cycles of other components also have been increased and Gulfstream claims that overall maintenance costs for a G450 are as much as 20 percent lower than for a GIV.
A lot of this reduced maintenance is in the cockpit, which is dominated by four large-and I do mean large- Honeywell Primus Epic avionics LCD displays that the pilots can easily manipulate with a unique cursor control device that grows out of the outboard arm rests. The system is a Game Boy for the Gulfstream. It can do everything but cook your steak and is easier to use than some of the center-console trackball devices on other airplanes. Gulfstream also has a proprietary electronic flight bag called PlaneBook that uses a tablet laptop to create a true paperless cockpit. It makes your crew's flight planning and other duties demonstrably simpler.
All this whiz-bang is nice, but what is really going to save your bacon on a stormy night landing at Aspen is the Kollsman enhanced vision system (EVS) that is standard on the G450. Using a forward-looking infrared camera mounted under the nose and a military-style head-up display, the EVS turns night into day and allows your pilots to see runway lights and the surrounding obstructions and terrain even in the worst weather. (Check out the video at www.gulfstream.com.)
The passenger cabin also incorporates refreshed technology, including LED lighting, better environmental systems, heated windows and updated seat-mounted controls. The aircraft's relocated main door provides a more spacious entry area. Gulfstream offers a variety of standard floor plans, with most seating 12 to 16, and will still customize an airplane to your exact tastes-for a price, of course. The standard floor plans feature forward or rear galleys, a forward crew lavatory and a main executive lavatory in the rear of the aircraft.
A stateroom, complete with one or two berthing divans, can be created in the rear of the aircraft forward of the main lavatory. The 169-cubic-foot baggage compartment is accessible in flight through the rear of the lavatory. The galley features a microwave, high-speed/temperature convection oven, two coffeemakers and refrigerated storage. An espresso maker is optional. There is ample space for two meal services.
The standard in-flight entertainment package includes Airshow 4000 with moving map, dual DVD/CD players, 17-inch bulkhead monitors, a 15-inch credenza-mounted monitor (opposite the conference grouping), headphone jacks at each seat, up to four telephone locations, a fax machine and electronic window shades. The single seats can be fitted with optional, individual seven-inch monitors. Satellite television ($200,000) and Gulfstream's Broadband Multi-Link System ($700,000) are two big-ticket options popular with G450 buyers. The latter option provides Internet connection speeds up to 3.5 mb per second, about five times faster than dual-channel systems, and true wireless access throughout the cabin. Just open your laptop and boom-you're connected.
It is the kind of comfort and convenience you would expect on a Gulfstream. While the G450 may not be the OEM's flagship, it is a top large-cabin choice for all but
the longest missions.
G450 at a glance
Price (2008): $35.85 million*Range (4 pax, 2 crew): 4,350 nm
Maximum cruising speed: 476 kt
Maximum takeoff weight: 73,900 lb
Cabin Length: 45 ft 1 in
Cabin Width: 7 ft 4 in
Cabin Height: 6 ft 2 in
Cabin Volume: 1,525 cu ft
Download Brochures
G450 Elite Cabin Features Insert
G450 Elite Cabin Features Insert (1.1 MB PDF)
【本報訊】特首曾蔭權坐富豪私人飛機旅行惹來一身蟻，特首候選人梁振英日前接受《明報》專訪時，自爆過往到北
京開政協會議，曾乘坐同為政協常委的新世界中國地產主席鄭家純的私人飛機返港，類似的邀請平均每年一次。有學者指，梁振英當時為行政會議召集人，職責不時
與工商界利益重叠，他與地產商關係密切，在觀感上影響政府的公正。
減低對選情殺傷力
梁振英在訪問中解釋，他過去前赴北京開政協會議後，共有數次是應鄭家純的邀請，乘坐他的私人飛機返港，但他強調當中沒有利益可言，因為身為政協常委的他，返港要乘頭等機位，費用亦是由中央支付。
不 過，中大政治與行政學系高級導師蔡子強指，坐頭等機艙與私人飛機的舒適度始終有分別，更重要的是港人希望問責官員、行會成員，都不要與商界過從甚密，因為 在觀感上會令人質疑政府的公正性。他繼指：「唔少港人因為唐英年與工商界關係密切先唔鍾意佢，所以梁振英過去刻意話地產商唔鍾意佢，今次唔多唔少會影響佢 辛苦建立嘅形象。」他估計，梁振英選擇自我引爆，正是要減低事件對選情的殺傷力。
另外，他昨日推出新書《從心出發重新認識梁振英》，在全港五區舉 行簽名活動，雖然說是「書」，但其實是一本結集其親人及支持者所寫文章的小冊子，合共印了五萬本在全港派發。他昨表示，市民對公職人員操守的要求越來越 高，認同特首曾蔭權針對特首及行會申報，成立獨立檢討委員會。對於有立法會議員擬引用《立法會（權力及特權）條例》，調查梁振英在西九概念比賽是否涉利益 衝突一事，梁表示會開誠佈公向立法會交代，又重申沒有漏報。
昨日的新書發佈會上，隨了一眾「梁粉」支持者外，影帝黃秋生亦有現身撐場，他說各候選 人未就政綱進行公開討論，目前選舉只流於「無綫家政劇（家庭政治劇）」的階段。提到梁振英的誠信問題，他說覺得誠信不是任特首的重點，反指管治能力最重 要，至於那個候選人最適合當特首，黃未有正面回應，只笑言：「大家屬意劉德華，不過佢話唔選。」另外，梁振英的姐姐梁桂香亦開腔力撐弟弟不是「狼」，而是 一個重情義的人。
私人機熱爆
私人飛機最近成為熱門話題，隨着內地崛起富商激增，加上香港進口私人飛機的免稅安排，採購私人飛機，成為熱爆商機。
富豪嘅思維方式：「佢哋畀得起錢買飛機，唔太介意價錢，多一個億，少一個億，唔係問題。安全第一，至係最重要。」說穿了，就是猜透富豪的腦袋，知道佢哋諗緊乜。例如，買飛機是為了度假，還是商務；飛長途，還是短途多？
機種五花八門，富豪熱捧嘅飛機，要數美國灣流航太公司出 品嘅Gulfstream G550，機價約三千五百萬美元，即二億幾港幣，聽聞恒基主席李兆基、微軟巨子蓋茨，及富士康集團總裁郭台銘都分別有一架；旺旺集團董事長蔡衍明則擁有 Gulfstream G200，同樣身價不菲，但Albert話，近年二手飛機有價有市，想買一部「入門版」，約八千多萬港元也有交易。
景賢里 智經 新世界 曾蔭權利益網絡
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