WHAT DOES THE MARKET WANT?
Perusing the strengths and compromises of this septet reveals the need for a clean-sheet design that offers the best qualities of each of the seven competitors. First, there’s no such thing as too large a cabin. Best-in-class 5,500-nm to 6,000-nm large- cabin jets, such as the Global 5500 and Falcon 6X, have 1,800- to 1,900-cubic-foot cabins by volume. That’s a good start, but that’s still one-third smaller than the four-section-cabin uber jets. Pairs of facing chairs typically convert into lay-flat berths, so three-section aircraft usually comfortably sleep no more than six people. Four-section cabins berth eight sleepers. Buyers also want pressurized cabin altitudes lower than 5,000 ft., and sound levels in the low- to mid-40 dBA range. They want forward and aft lavatories, galleys that can hold four to five full meals, and aft staterooms that afford complete
privacy. Future aircraft require a forward lav for the crew, a mid-cabin lav for most passengers, and a third en-suite lavatory adjoining the aft stateroom. Connectivity is key. More than one large- cabin jet operator has scrubbed a trip because WiFi and high-speed internet access systems were inoperative. People in this class of aircraft expect connectivity on par with homes and offices. Worldwide KA-band satcom with WiFi mobile phone calling is almost an iron-clad necessity. Emerging low-earth-orbit KU- and KA-band satcom networks promise to give market leader Viasat hot competition and lead to considerably lower subscription prices. Wideband satcom typically is a $750,000 to $1 million option. Most large-cabin-class operators consider it a necessity.
Bombardier Global 5500:
5,900 nm / 480 ktas AVERAGE CRUISE SPEEDS FOR LONG RANGE MISSIONS:
Gulfstream G500
5,400 nm / 480 ktas AVERAGE CRUISE SPEEDS FOR LONG RANGE MISSIONS:
Dassault Falcon 6X*
5,500 nm / 455 ktas AVERAGE CRUISE SPEEDS FOR LONG RANGE MISSIONS:
Dassault Falcon 900LX
4,650 nm / 420 ktas AVERAGE CRUISE SPEEDS FOR LONG RANGE MISSIONS:
Gulfstream G400*
4,200 nm / 480 ktas AVERAGE CRUISE SPEEDS FOR LONG RANGE MISSIONS:
Dassault Falcon 2000LXS 4,000 nm / 430 ktas AVERAGE CRUISE SPEEDS FOR LONG RANGE MISSIONS:
Bombardier Challenger 650 4,000 nm / 420 ktas AVERAGE CRUISE SPEEDS FOR LONG RANGE MISSIONS:
*(still in development) All range figures based on manufacturer's specifications for an NBAA IFR range with reserves. Knots true air speed [KTAS]
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