Business Jet Type Ratings: Which Aircraft Have Commonality?

Summary

  • Gulfstream strategically maintains common type ratings within their jets for cost-effective training and operational efficiencies.
  • Dassault jets like the Falcon 50 and Falcon 900 share type ratings, simplifying certification and pilot training.
  • Most Learjets have the same type rating, offering charter operators and pilots an easy-to-use option amidst the family’s varied models.

The commonality between different aircraft types has been an area of concern for a long time. Aircraft manufacturers strive to have a commonality where various aircraft models (or various) share the same type rating. This is an added advantage for the manufacturer when it comes to obtaining certification for the new model, marketing it to the operators, and offering parts and maintenance.

The commonality between type ratings also helps pilots to provide minimal conversion training when switching between the two aircraft rather than obtaining a new license rating. While much has been written about commonalities between commercial airliners, this article notes commonalities between business jets type ratings.

TAG Aviation Malta Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 (9H-MRV) landing runway 31 in the afternoon.

Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock

Aircraft manufacturers like Gulfstream, Falcon, and Bombardier ensure that several of their business jets share type ratings. Gulfstream G300 and G400 share a type rating, and G450 and G550 have a common type rating. Similarly, several Dassault jets have a common type rating. Most Bombardier Learjets share a single-type rating.

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What are aircraft design and performance ratings?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that, as per 14 CFR Part 21, there are three types of certifications: type certification, production certification, and airworthiness certification.

  • Type certification: the approval of the design of the aircraft and all components, including propellers, engines, and control stations. It signifies the design complies with applicable airworthiness, noise, fuel venting, and exhaust emissions standards.
  • Production certification: the approval to manufacture duplicate products under an FAA-approved type design. It signifies conformance at the organizational level, including its personnel, facilities, and quality system to produce based on the approved design.
  • Airworthiness certification: is necessary for the operation of civil aircraft. It signifies that an aircraft meets its approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation.

Type ratings

Depending on the size, weight, and performance of the aircraft, the type rating is selected. A type rating generally indicates what crew training and simulator time will be necessary to acquire certification to fly the aircraft. Some similar-type aircraft may only require a “difference training” to acquire certification.

Bombardier_Learjet_C-21A,_United_States_-_US_Air_Force_(USAF)_JP7479262

Notably, different jurisdictions, such as the FAA, EASA, and CAAC, decide the type ratings for each type of aircraft while following the ICAO guidelines.

Gulfstream jets

  • G-IV type rating: Gulfstream G300 and G400
  • G-V type rating: Gulfstream G350, G450, G500, and G550.
  • G-VI type rating: Gulfstream G650
  • G-VIII type rating: Gulfstream G700 and G800 (anticipated)

Manufacturers like Gulfstream strategically keep type commonality between similar-sized aircraft. A number of Gulfstream business jets share the same type rating. The G300 and G400 are covered by the same G-IV type rating.

Gulfstream G650 Taxiing In Vilnius

Photo: Karolis Kavolelis | Shutterstock

Similarly, the larger, more powerful jets, including the G350, G450, G500, and G550, have the GV-type rating. According to Gulfstream Aerospace,

“The G550, G500, G450 and G350 business jets feature virtually all of the same onboard systems and share the same pilot type rating. As a result, operators of multi-Gulfstream aircraft fleets reduce their operational costs associated with aircraft maintenance, pilot and technician training and spare-parts inventory.”

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The Gulfstream G650 (and G650ER) have the G-VI type rating. The latest member of the family, the G700, has a GVIII-type rating. Gulfstream aims to achieve the same type rating for its forthcoming G800 ultra-long-haul business jet.

Dassault jets

  • Commonality of type ratings: Falcon 50, Falcon 900 and 900EX
  • Different type ratings: Falcon 7X, Falcon 10, and Falcon 2000

Some Dassault jets have their own type ratings, while others have commonality with other types. FlightWorx shows that Falcon 7X, Falcon 10, and Falcon 2000 all have their own type rating. On the other hand, the Falcon 50, Falcon 900, and 900EX have commonality in type ratings.

Notably the Falcon 50 and Falcon 900 are both tri-jet aircraft, a feature that is currently limited to only a handful of Dassault jets. The Fan Jet Falcon and earlier Mystere Falcons also share the same type ratings, making the certification and pilot training much simpler and time-saving.

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Bombardier Learjets

  • Commonality of type ratings: Most current aircraft in the Learjet family
  • Different type ratings: Learjet 45 and Learjet 60

Almost all current aircraft in the Learjet family share the same type rating. That allows the manufacturer to offer ease of use of those jets by charter operators and pilots. The Learjet 45 and Learjet 60 have their own type ratings.

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