Aircraft Review: Gulfstream G550 Business Jet by X-Hangar

[Dominic Smith]

 

Aircraft Review: Gulfstream G550 Business Jet by X-Hangar

 

By Michael Hayward

 

Introduction
The Gulfstream G550, a business jet developed by Gulfstream Aerospace, first flew in 2002 and remained in production until 2021. During its two-decade run, over six hundred airframes were produced, catering to a wide range of clientele including corporate executives and government agencies. The G550 was eventually succeeded by the more advanced G600.

 

X-Hangar is a well-known developer for X-Plane, offering a mix of props, experimental aircraft, and business jets since the days of X-Plane 10. Their focus has always been on easy-to-run aircraft that the vast majority of users can enjoy. In this review, I’ll take a closer look at their latest release, the recently released Gulfstream G550 for X-Plane 12, and see how it stacks up within the X-Plane hangar.

 

Download & Install
Installing the Gulfstream G550, like any X-Hangar model, is straightforward. Once purchased from the X-Plane.org store, you’ll receive a zip file containing models for both X-Plane 11 and 12. Here you simply select the version you have installed (in my case, X-Plane 12), and then drag and drop it into your aircraft folder. 

 

Upon loading X-Plane, you'll notice that two versions of the G550 are included: one that uses the X-Plane camera feature and another that does not. According to the manual, the camera-enabled version can impact performance, costing up to 10fps in certain scenarios. If you don’t intend to take photographs, the non-camera version is recommended. X-Hangar has always prioritized performance, and the G550 is no exception.

 

The aircraft includes a user manual located in the 'docs' folder, which provides a basic guide to operating the G550. This covers updates and differences between the XP11 and XP12 versions, startup checklists, door locations, key features, plus tips for using the autopilot or flying at night. This is well worth taking the time to read through, as it highlights the finer details of the G550 and helps you get the most out of the aircraft.

 

Exterior Model
The Gulfstream G550’s modelling isn’t overly complex, but X-Hangar has done a great job at recreating the aircraft’s design without compromising on frame rates. The aircraft features a sleek, elongated nose that leads into a slim, narrow fuselage. Along the roof, there are various sensors and aerials, while an angle of attack sensor and pitot tube sit below the front windshield. The long and wide and wide wings are designed to enhance climb and cruise performance, and the tail arches over the top, forming the easily recognisable ‘T’ shape configuration.

 

 

External textures are rendered in 4K resolution and cover the entire aircraft, including the registration codes. These textures are crisp and detailed, even when viewed up close. X-Hangar has employed vector graphics to stretch and shape these textures across the fuselage, maintaining clarity without increasing the file size or VRAM requirements. Bump mapping has also been used effectively to highlight panel gaps and riveting, particularly around the windshield frame. 

 

 

Unlike traditional rounded airline windows which usually shape towards the vertical plane, the G550 makes use of wide, oval-shaped windows, which stretch longitudinally along the fuselage. Seven expansive windows stretch along the side of the aircraft, offering a broad view inside and making looking out quite an experience, more on that later!

 

Little details when stationery on the ground, such as the pitot and engine covers, the red carpet beneath the stairs, and the extending roof canopy, really help bring the aircraft to life. Such thoughtful touches are certainly appreciated! 

 

 

X-Hangar has also included twenty-one liveries, ranging from real-world registration codes to more ‘generic’ business colours. This variety allows users to choose a livery that suits their flying style or intended route and makes for a great selection. 

 

 

Cockpit and Interior
The cockpit of the X-Hangar G550 is functional rather than fancy, but this doesn’t detract from the overall product. It features the full X-Plane default avionics suite, customised to replicate the systems found in the real aircraft. Using the default avionics has its advantages as they are familiar, frame rate friendly, easy to operate, and benefit from regular updates by both X-Hangar and Laminar Research.

 

 

The main display panel has a brown textured base and houses three screens. These provide important flight information when airborne and offer door controls and loading options while on the ground. Beneath the main displays, you’ll find a backup virtual horizon and altimeter, along with two FMS screens, IRS switches, and engine controls. All in all, the cockpit is easy to navigate with all your displays clearly laid out in front of you.

 

 

In contrast to the cockpit, the cabin has received a lot of attention, and it shows. The rear section includes a sofa, individual seats, and tables where business passengers can relax or chat. There’s also a kitchen area stocked with steaks, shrimp, fruit salad, and toast (quite the combination!), a toilet and sink, and a luggage store at the back, complete with suitcases. You can even spawn virtual passengers to occupy the cabin, which only adds to the sense of realism. The cabin walls feature wood trim, creating an atmosphere that strikes a balance between being homely and a corporate meeting room. The wide oval windows offer plenty of light and visibility to the outside world and provide stunning views when at cruise altitude, particularly when flying at 51,000 feet.

 

 

Sound
The Gulfstream G550 uses a combination of custom engine sounds and default X-Plane audio. Custom sounds include recordings of the Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, along with cockpit alerts and alarms captured from the real aircraft. The engine sounds are dynamically adjusted in volume and pitch according to your throttle setting, while alarms within the cockpit are both audible and clear. While the audio may not be the strongest feature of this add-on, it is far from disappointing. The combination of custom and default sounds provides enough variety to create an immersive experience, especially when paired with a good audio system.

Flight Dynamics
The Gulfstream G550 is indeed a nimble jet! Upon departure, the power of the engines is palpable as you make a steep initial climb. It ascends effortlessly to its cruising altitude, typically between 45,000 and 52,000 feet. Once level, it remains steady, with the only resistance coming from high-altitude jet streams. The G550 is eager to soar, making ascent a breeze

 

 

On autopilot, the G550 is remarkably steady, providing you ample opportunity to mingle with business guests or enjoy the cabin and scenic high-altitude views. The aircraft is also agile during banks and turns, simplifying complex procedures often encountered in challenging departures and arrivals.

 

 

I highly recommend trying out the valley approach and sharp turns at Aspen, Colorado. With some forward-thinking and careful chart planning, you can easily land this aircraft in no time. It’s a joy to fly the G550 hands-on, pushing it to the limits of what a jet aircraft can achieve!

 

 

Night Lighting
The night lighting on the G550 sticks to X-Hangars tried and tested formula, simple yet effective. The cockpit lights are bright enough to see everything clearly, and the cabin has a nice, soft glow. Given that X-Plane’s frame rates can dip during sunset and nighttime hours, the G550 proves to be an excellent choice for night flying. 

 

 

Performance
During my tests, I experienced no frame rate issues with the G550, which is a testament to X-Hangar's ability to deliver models that perform well above the norm. Gerald’s models consistently achieve higher frame rates compared to many more demanding add-ons, which is one of the reasons they are so popular.

 

Opinion and Closing Remarks
The first thing to mention is that X-Hangar is a one-man show and a passion project of Gerald. He has developed this add-on from the ground up, alongside all his other projects, and the dedication clearly shows! I've thoroughly enjoyed flying the Gulfstream G550. Although it doesn't quite reach the level of detail and fidelity you might find in the cockpits of Aerobask or AKD Studio models, the price point reflects this, offering good value.

The G550 is a blast to set up and fly from point A to point B. Its handling and performance are impressive, making it a nimble jet that can achieve super high altitudes and cover almost any global route. While the cockpit and audio features might lack somewhat, the modelling and flight dynamics certainly pull their weight, affirming its status as one of the world's most iconic business jets.

If you're in the market for a business jet that's easy to operate, the X-Hangar Gulfstream G550 is definitely worth considering!

___________________

 

 

Gulfstream G550 Business Jet by X-Hangar is available from the Org store here:

 

Gulfstream G550 Business Jet
Priced at US$22.95

 

Features:

• Two separate models (with and without camera) The camera model may lower your FPS when powered on.
• Crew and Passengers modeled. They display with added weight.
• Many international liveries
• Easy to paint your liveries with layers included for stripes and weathering
• Instrument panel menu included in the PFD display
• Checklist.txt used in the sim (default x-plane)
• Static objects are clickable inside and outside the aircraft
• User manual in .pdf format
• Internal camera views with zero thru nine on the keypad
• Shades, monitors, and tables animate and stow
• 3d HUD (power off to stow)
• FMS x-plane default
• GPU included
• Remove flags and plugs with a click

Requirements:

X-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11 (both versions available)
Windows, Mac, or Linux
4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8GB+ VRAM Recommended
Download Size: 350 MB
Current version 12.1.1 (October 9th, 2024)

Reviewers System:

Windows 10 Professional
AMD Ryzen 5 5900X Processor
32GB RAM

Palit GeForce RTX™ 3080 GamingPro

 

Aircraft Review by Michael Hayward 

29th November 2024

Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews 

  

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