Experts think the business jet industry will grow from $25.87 billion in 2021 to $36.94 billion by 2028. This surely means more innovative jets are to come, but it could also increase sales for popular standbys like the Gulfstream GIV.

If you’re familiar with the Gulfstream GIV, then you know why this aircraft is so sought-after. It’s the perfect aircraft for international and domestic business travel. With 664 aircraft remaining in operation and over 900 initially manufactured from 1985 to 2018, this aircraft offers performance, dispatch reliability, and one of the best cabins in the industry.

Read on for a look into the history of the Gulfstream GIV and more about its specifications. In addition, we’ll take a look at the entire Gulfstream GIV family and highlight each model’s features.

Join countless other businesses, financial entities, and individuals on VREF Online and get the data you need covering hundreds of aircraft.

History Of The Gulfstream GIV

Designed and built by Gulfstream Aerospace based in Savannah, Georgia, the Gulfstream GIV gained its type certificate in 1985. Its last model, the Gulfstream G450, topped off a 30-year production run in 2018.

Design began in 1983 in collaboration with the now-closed Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. The goal was to create a long-range business jet with elevated comfort in mind. In addition to its speed, this aircraft offered a whole new level of luxury in the two Rolls-Royce RB.183 Tay turbofan engines. It’s fixed with Honeywell’s avionics package and is known for its ability to travel far and fast.

Additional Use Of The Gulfstream GIV

However, its uses go beyond leisure travel alone. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center and Hurricane Research Division also use the GIV. Its purpose is to help researchers follow and collect data from tropical cyclones to help scientists better predict future hurricanes and other storms. And it does a great job at doing so because of its speed, range, and space for researchers and their equipment.

Furthermore, variants of the GIV were made for military use, equipping the Department of Defense with the C-20F (also G, H, and J).

The Difference Between Models

The Gulfstream GIV went with four models known as the GIV, GIV-SP, G350, and finally, the G450. While they had many things in common, newer models were upgraded to improve capacity, range, and performance over time.

The design team extended later models to make more room within the cabin. The cockpit was made larger, and its range improved. Another version altered the range to produce a shorter-range vehicle in the G350 purposefully.

The final two models, the G350 and G450, experienced an engine switch upgrading from the Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 to the Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8C. The newer engine model offers cast HP1 turbine blades, a larger fan from the 650-15, a structural by-pass duct, and a full authority digital engine (FADEC).

Other points of improvement include:

  • Speed
  • Noise levels
  • Emissions
  • Fuel economy
  • Range
  • Cargo capacity

GIV Specs

The specs for the following four GIV models are:

GIV

GIV-SP

G350

G450

Cockpit Crew

2

Seating Capacity

14-19

19 max

Length

88ft 4in / 26.92m

89ft 4in / 27.23m

Wingspan

77ft 10 / 23.72m

Wing Area

950.39sqft / 88.3m²

Overall Height

24ft 5in / 7.45m

25ft 2in / 7.67m

MTOW

73,200 lb (33,203 kg)

74,600 lb (33,838 kg)

70,900 lb (32,160 kg)

74,600 lb (33,838 kg)

Empty Weight

35,500 lb (16,103 kg)

42,700 lb (19,368 kg)

43,000 lb (19,504 kg)

Cruising Speed

Mach 0.80–Mach 0.85 (459–488 kn; 850–903 km/h)

Maximum Speed

Mach 0.88 (505 kn; 935 km/h)

Range

4,220 nmi (7,815 km)

3,800 nmi (7,038 km)

4,350 nmi (8,056 km)

Service Ceiling

45,000 ft (13,716 m)

Engines

Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8

Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8C

Thrust

13,850lbf / 61.6kN

FAQ About The Gulfstream GIV

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Gulfstream GIV.

How Much Does A Gulfstream GIV Cost?

The answer here depends. If you’re looking at a “new” model, you’re looking for one dating from 2011 to 2018. In this case, you’re looking at a price tag of about $38 to $43 million.

However, if you’re interested and open to a pre-owned model, you’re looking at the cost of anywhere between $14 and $35 million.

If you’re thinking of making a business jet purchase, don’t start the process without looking up valuable information through VREF Online.

How Long Can A Gulfstream GIV SP Stay in the Air?

The Gulfstream GIV offers a range of 8 and a half flying hours and works well for international and domestic flights.

How Long Is A Gulfstream GIV Jet?

The GIV is 88 feet and 4 inches in length or 26.92 meters.

What does the SP Stand For In The GIV-SP?

The SP stands for Special Performance.

What Serial Number Did Gulfstream GIV Transition To The GIV-SP?

The serial number of the GIV went from its given one of 1,000 to its special purpose GIV-SP serial number 1214 in 1993.

Overall, the Gulfstream GIV is a reliable, fast, and ever-popular business jet that’s admired across the globe. It has a fairly outstanding safety record, with its most recent fatal accident in Massachusetts in 2014. Despite this particular event, the Gulfstream GIV maintains low fatalities over its 30-year production history.

VREF: The Experts In Aviation Appraisals

Whether you’re spending a few thousand or a few million dollars on an aircraft, you deserve to have accurate information. With VREF Online, you get thousands of pieces of valuable information right at your fingertips. From business jets and single-engine aircraft to everything in between, we have what you need to access data that helps you in your search for a reliable aircraft.

Join thousands of others in getting the latest aircraft data on the market.