emb145captain

Hey guys.

I am looking for real thoughts and experiences from people who have flown either/both planes. Reliability? Support? Limitations at certain airports?Etc.

My boss is considering a new long range plane, and I think he has it narrowed down to a Global XRS and the G550. Although I have zero input with him, I would just like to know what I am getting into.

I keep hearing from Gulfstream guys (who seem very opinionated) that the Global is junk, and from Global guys that it is a nice airplane once you get it in the air after you clear all the electric faults, and that the Global can do things the Gulfstream can't.

I would really like some unbiased, factual info.

Thanks!

NowCorporate

Let em see if I can cover it...

"They're both Junk"

"My friend who flies a Global says support is terrible"

"My friend who flies a G550 says its perfect, but he always breaks down"

"I heard xxx company is trading all theirs for the other"

That about covers the pilot message boards.

I'd worry about it once he's done "considering it" and one or the other is on the ramp, since you have zero input.

Either one should at least double your salary from an EMB....Now thats what I'd be concentrating on.

emb145captain

Ha ha! Yeah that is what I kinda thought.

Don't think my salary would double, but that would be nice to make a quarter of a million.

UCLAbruins

BD 700 vs G550?? that's like comparing a lamborghini with a Ferrari.... Frankly I don't see how one would be better than the other...I do see more and more companies buying Globals, so if Globals were "junk" they're not anymore...

I fly the G-IV, no compalints here, very happy with the airplane. She's old, but reliable and gets the job done.. I'm amazed as to what it can do. Last month we took off out of a 5700ft runway in Western Europe, 8 hours later landed in the U.S, no problem.

Carl Spackler

Most of my corporate experience is in the G550, and it is an amazing airplane without question. The Global is a great airplane as well. The main difference is the factories that produce them. The G550 is very reliable, but when it does break, you can't beat their tremendous service response. They will fly a part to you anywhere in the world. The Global breaks more often and their parts and service are not good. Friends of mine have waited days on end for a part and a technician.

In our operation, we simply could not be down for days...period.

Carl

TransMach

Personally I have about 3,400 hours in GIV/GV/G550 airplanes. Only once have I taken a mechanical delay/divesion ONCE and that was when I new guy fouled up the secondary latch on the main entry door on a GIV, self induced. Even then Gulfstream found the necessary part on a GIV in engine maintenance on the same airport and provided it keeping the delay down to about 4 hours.

I don't think any Global guys 'r gals can say that.

TransMach

NowCorporate

Well, I dont track my hours like a Gulfstream guy...but flew Globals for many years and never lost a trip. We had a few of them, and I'm sure they broke at times..like any airplane. The idea that someone would wait "days" for a part is rather silly. Sounds like an operator problem. I also have a good friend who sat with his beloved G550 for many days at KIAD because it couldnt be fixed, all the while I flew multiple legs in a Global, even giving his pax a ride. Could have gone either way, and has in the past. He said it wasn't Gulfstreams fault, but the vendor of the parts fault. LOL, whatever!

I know guys who fly both who have had tons of issues, others with none.

But of course, a Grumman is a Grumman to some pilots. It could be the biggest POS ever sold and they will never admit it. It defines them. I personally have found no newer airplanes (Gxxx, GLEX, 7X) to be unreliable when run/managed properly....and no, I wouldn't try running ANY of these without a great tech rep on staff.

Here is our Gulfstream Prayer (just to give some a little peek into the level this can be taken to)

say it with me:

"Few aircraft embody such an iconic level as genuinely as a Gulfstream.

To a pilot, this jet is a symbol of all that a flying machine should be – and more. A mix of complexity and capability that engages the mind, yet never numbs it; a blend of luxury with the assurance that comfort is still second to safety; a combination of form and function that resonate as one.

Throughout the history of aviation both men and machines alike have reached this loftiest dais of distinction. Indeed, their relationship to one another is often so interwoven that they are often synonymous with one another"


I kid you not.
___

edznaz

3+ years on the GIII, only one delay ever. Fixed within two hours, and resulted in the only MEL we had during that time. I'm sure the Global is a great airplane (I loved my 8 years in the CRJ). Recently got a tour of a friends 7X. Amazing aircraft, and he raves about the support from the factory folks. I consider this extra high praise as he is a 25 plus year Gulfstream guy.

The dude

This is exactly what I was going to say. Much better support with Gulfstream.

emb145captain

Good info guys. Thanks a lot. Just found out he opted for the Global. Not looking forward to the headaches. Oh well. Maybe he will get ****ed off enough and then just get a Gulfstream.