Range

- James Albright (a former G450 driver)

Updated: 2020-08-25

How far can you go on a tank of gas? We all know that depends on a number of things but having a no-wind, Mach 0.80, ISA, optimal altitude number in your head will get you started.

Everything here is from the references shown below, with a few comments in an alternate color.

 Mach 0.80, ISA, Twin Engine Range

Note that the chart does not reflect ASC 016 which raises maximum ramp weight to 75,000 lbs and maximum takeoff weight to 74,600 lbs, so you can expect to do slightly better.

You can fly 4,000 nautical miles at M 0.80 on an ISA day with no winds and have 5,000 lbs of fuel on landing. Of course you seldom have those conditions. The charts are not friendly for this kind of work, but going between the charts in the AOM, AFM, and PH you can make a few general inferences:

• Speed

  • Faster — Mach 0.85 decreases range by about 1000 nm.

  • Slower — Mach 0.77 increases range by about 300 nm.

• Temperature

  • Hotter — ISA + 10°C decreases range by about 200 nm.

  • Colder — ISA - 10°C increases range by about 200 nm.

• Wind

  • Headwind — 100 knots of headwind decreases range by about 900 nm.

  • Tailwind — 100 knots of tailwind increases range by about 900 nm.

Of course you cannot assume your conditions will remain constant and your best tool may be your flight planning service. My longest flight in the G450 was a 10.0 but that was with ideal weather and lots of airports in the Boston area to choose from. I rarely plan anything requiring more than 8.0 and I'll do 9.0 if conditions are in my favor.

 References:

Gulfstream G450 Aircraft Operating Manual, Revision 35, April 30, 2013.

Gulfstream G450 Aircraft Service Change 016A, Maximum Takeoff Gross Weight Increase, May 30, 2012

Gulfstream G450 Performance Handbook, GAC-AC-G450-OPS-0003, Revision 20, November 30, 2011