Gulfstream’s flagship plane, the G650ER, is a favorite among many wealthy individuals, including Elon Musk, the richest man in the world.
The jet was built in 2015, and Musk acquired it in 2016. It isn’t Musk’s first plane: The Tesla CEO also owns a Dassault Falcon 900B, which he bought in 2004.
Amazon mogul Jeff Bezos and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo each also reportedly own a Gulfstream G650ER.
In an interview with Chris Anderson at the TED Conference in April, Musk said he doesn’t spend “billions of dollars a year in personal consumption” — but that the jet is an exception to his frugal lifestyle. Elon Musk added that he doesn’t own a home, a yacht, or take vacations.
In the interview, Elon Musk mentioned, “I mean, the one exception is the plane, but if I don’t use the plane, then I have fewer hours to work.”
Based on information from a Twitter account managed by a teenager that tracks the location of Musk’s jet, the aircraft with the registration N628TS was reported to be in Austin, Texas, on April 15.
Insider reached out to Musk and Tesla for comment, but there was no immediate response from either party.
Prices for the jet start from $66.5 million. Operating costs are typically in the millions.
According to flight records obtained by the Washington Post, Elon Musk spent approximately $700,000 on his private jet in 2018 alone, utilizing it for travel within the United States, Europe, and Asia.
The Post reported that Musk and his family frequently used the aircraft for recreational trips, and he also relied on it for transportation around the Los Angeles area, shuttling to and from his former five-mansion compound.
In 2018, Musk took more than 250 flights on the jet, accumulating over 150,000 miles in total, as documented by the Post.
Operating costs for the jet are quite substantial, with an average cost of $3,662 per hour of flying time, as reported by Corporate Jet Investor. These expenses can quickly accumulate, resulting in multimillion-dollar costs for regular usage of the G650ER aircraft.
The 19-seater jet is replete with a galley, where food and drinks can be prepared.
The 99-foot-long jet offers a personalized interior, as stated by Aircraft Exchange.
A standard configuration often includes a forward galley (as seen in the provided image) and four living areas. The company’s virtual tour provides a glimpse of the jet’s interior with this specific layout.
In the galley, there are two storage compartments, a microwave, and a convection oven, as depicted in the virtual tour. The front wall of the galley features a built-in touchscreen that controls various aspects of the aircraft.
The jet has four living areas. The main cabin comprises 10 seats and a sofa.
“The cabin interior showcases an elegant combination of light-colored leather seats and wooden accents. Gulfstream claims that the forward cabin features 12 oval windows, which they boast are the largest in the aviation industry.
According to the virtual tour, the seats in the cabin come with footrests and can be partially reclined. They are also adjustable and can be tilted to face each other or transformed into beds.
Typically, this aircraft is equipped with two television screens in the main cabin. One screen is integrated into the front section of the galley, while the other is positioned between two windows.”
Fold-up tables are stowed at the side of the plane and can be combined to form a dining table.
“On the sides of the aircraft, you will find multiple compartments that include fold-up tables. Adjacent to the seats, there is a storage compartment equipped with an ashtray, as depicted in the virtual tour.
To access various controls, including overhead lights, you can open the armrest.
Towards the rear of the primary cabin, there is a VIP cabin separated by a sliding door to ensure privacy. Inside, you will find a sofa, a seat, and a television, providing a comfortable space.”
The jet has two bathrooms: The galley and the VIP cabin has one each.
“There aren’t any shower facilities available on the aircraft. The luggage is stored at the back of the lavatory, in a specially designated cargo section.”
Elon Musk has become the richest person in the world, with a whopping net worth of more than $185 billion. Musk’s money surge over the previous year marks the quickest rise to the top of the billionaire list in history and is a dramatic monetary turnaround for the outspoken businessman.
Take note, he was in the news for Tesla’s rapid cash burn and his leverage against the organization’s stock just 18 months ago. But what does one do with all that wealth? Well, it’s no surprise that he would buy himself something as extravagant as a private jet, let alone more than one.
Elon Musk’s Newest Private Jet, The Gulfstream G550Claiming a private jet is one of the status symbols out there that all tycoons use to show off their money. We all know that! Very rich people, for example, Elon Musk, are well known for their insane purchases.
He can stand to burn 80 million dollars a year on average and have the advantage of being able to pay for luxuries that a normal person would never dream of. Despite being a rich guy, Musk professed to have slept on the floor, the couch, or in the conference room at his manufacturing plant on busy days.
But in any case, he likes to take the ride back home in his private jet as most wealthy people do. The Gulfstream G550 is the newest addition to his many luxurious possessions, it has enough room for 17 passengers, yet has been changed over to a dozing setup.
As per the Washington Post, Musk put on the plane more than 150,000 miles since 2018, this includes business flights to his many headquarters around the country and also for leisurely trips as well.
And since Tesla is building another vehicle plant in Texas, Musk will certainly be flying much more in the next few years. The G550’s two Rolls-Royce engines play a partial role in its efficiency, which, as per Gulfstream, gives the most push of any jet in its class.
The Gulfstream G550 can travel non-stop from Shanghai to Los Angeles or New York to Moscow at 0.80 Mach due to being powered by more thrust than any other jet in its class.
It also has an impressive travel range of 6,750 nautical miles! With a landing distance of 2,770 feet and a take-off distance of 5,910 feet, the G550 is capable of flying executives to or from many airports outside the capabilities of other private jet models.
Other significant features include a Head-Up Display, which projects flight information to a transparent screen in the pilot’s forward field of vision.
Another is an Enhanced Vision System, which utilizes infrared tech to show what the naked eye is unable to perceive with the assistance of three-dimensional graphics of the terrain overlaid with flight data, the pilots are provided with an understanding of their surroundings, which works even in conditions with zero visibility.
But enough about the performance, what is it like on the inside? Things get super sleek and comfortable inside the cabin. Carrying up to nineteen passengers, the options of four distinct living areas allow for lots of space, privacy, and function.
There’s a dedicated rest area for the crew, a conference area, a private stateroom, and an entertainment space. According to Gulfstream, a bespoke detail of the G550 which makes it unique in its class is the option to find the full-size galley either forward or aft.
Aside from the airplane never feeling crowded, the jet offers a tranquil ride. This is due to advanced sound suppression methods that keep out motor noise, making significant meetings hassle and distraction-free. It also helps with watching films and sleeping soundly.
Speaking of, the G550 can accommodate up to eight people when it comes to sleeping. Those extravagant, wide leather chairs can be easily converted into comfortable beds, making for the ideal distraction-free trip.
Don’t forget that this jet is designed for the business elite, Elon Musk, so its interiors are designed to accommodate individuals who travel in work mode.
The cabin fills in as a completely functional office, furnished with a wireless network, satellite communication, an Iridium phone, a fax machine, and a printer. The Gulfstream G550 also guarantees internet alternatives to keep its passengers connected to life on the ground.
What likewise separates the G550 from the rest is the amount that it can be customized. When the living spaces and galley positions are picked, every area can be furnished with the unique style of its owners.
Long, delicate couches, outlandish wood details, hand-sewn leathers, and exotic textiles can be altered to any color the owner wants. The top-notch quality of the video equipment, sparkling finishes on the tables and ledges, shining goblets and flatware, and signature Gulfstream windows which allow a lot of natural light, further impress passengers lucky enough to fly on this jet.
Every component of the cabin addresses the craftsmanship and care of Gulfstream and its elite group of designers. It’s a jet for the elite class. Being the first jet to feature the PlaneView integrated avionics flight deck with synthetic vision, G550 was the first Gulfstream to offer enhanced vision using an infrared camera. It also offers a head-up display all thanks to Honeywell’s Primus Epic avionics suite.
The G550 was one of the first business jets assembled by Gulfstream to offer a cockpit where pilots would utilize cursor control devices and electronic displays instead of traditional knobs, dials, and switches.G550 was position d by Gulfstream as a very flexible aircraft.
Mainly because of its ability to operate at up to 51,000 feet and its extensive range. The aircraft has accomplished 55-speed records in total over its time in service as per Gulfstream. One of Gulfstream’s mistime-in-service field special missions versions of the G550 was assembled for the Beijing Red Cross Emergency Medical Center.
It was the medical industry’s first such aircraft in 2018 to offer a patient bed that provides medical s ff 360-degree in-flight patient access. Unfortunately, just eight months after Gulfstream introduced its new G700 business jet at the 2019 NBAA Siness Aviation Conference and Exhibition, a cease to the manufacture of the G550 came forth.
It was a tough call, after all, it completed its first flight only in February and added second and third test aircraft to the certification program in the month prior.
Gulfstream hen declared labor force reductions in a cost-cutting effort to address challenges it has faced as a result of the endemic in May 2020, Now How Much Does the G550 Cost? Depending on the configured action, the list price of a brand-new G550 is currently about $61.5 million.
However, for those built-in 2005-2006, the average asking price is in the range of $18 million to $ 21 million. Newer models that are 20 to 2013 vintage 21 million and 56 years old are normally in the range of $28 million to $31 million.
As for prow d G550s, prices vary depending on the engine hours and total airframe, record-keeping maintenance, and overall condition. Based on the price, famous people like Elon Musk can purchase one fairly easily.
Other well-known figures who have owned a Gulfstream G550 are Mark Cuban, Tom Brady, Jack Ma, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Robert Kraft, Dwayne Johnson, Steven Spielberg, Christiano Ronaldo, and Oprah Winfrey.
Sure makes you feel jealous, doesn’t it? Well, just like what Elon Musk said: “When something s important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”So go get that private jet… or not, maybe just a car is enough. What do you think of Elon’s private jet? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Information Source:- businessinsider