Roberto Carlos will have a new R$ 158 million jet

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Singer Roberto Carlos should have a new plane soon, as his company, Natureza Produções Artísticas e Publicidade, requested a trademark reservation with the ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency) for a Gulfstream G550 aircraft (GV-SP ). The new jet, which does not yet have a date to arrive in Brazil, will have the registration number PS-CRC.

Like the singer’s previous aircraft, the registration remains similar. Several years ago, the “King” used to fly aboard a PP-CRC-branded Learjet 45, and more recently, he goes to his appointments in an eight-year-old Gulfstream G280 with PR-CRC registration.

Despite the singer’s G280 being new and having a relatively good range of around 6,700 kilometers, he can go even further and nonstop with the G550. That’s because the larger jet has a range of approximately 12,500 kilometers, being able to fly from Brazil to anywhere in the United States and Europe.

To cite an example, in the month of May, Roberto Carlos toured the United States, which began in Florida. To get there, he took off from Rio de Janeiro and made a stopover in Manaus. If he already had the G550, the stopover in the capital of Amazonas would not be necessary.

The singer recently turned 81 and there couldn’t have been a better gift to give.

A SUCCESSFUL JET

The G550 is considered a heavy, long-range business jet, which received its FAA type certificate in 2003. More than 600 units were produced, including the Gulfstream G500, which has a lower fuel capacity and reduced range. The G550 replaced the Gulfstream V and improved its aerodynamics, leading to greater range and fuel efficiency. It is the most successful model in Gulfstream history to date.

Depending on its configuration, the G550 can carry up to 19 passengers. There are options to have up to four distinct living areas, including a dedicated crew rest area, a private cabin, conference area and entertainment space.

The cabin has 14 Gulfstream-exclusive oval windows, providing plenty of natural light along its 13.39 m length, and the low-altitude cabin pressurization helps keep passengers comfortable during long journeys. The plane can maintain sea level pressure at 29,000 feet altitude and above that it maintains a pressure of 1,800 meters.

With a top speed of mach 0.885, the G550 has set more than 50 speed records in city pairs. The plane is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 C4-11 engines, while the cockpit features a PlaneView cockpit with Head-Up Display (HUD) and Enhanced Vision System (EVS) to enhance pilot situational awareness.

HOW MUCH

Pre-owned G550 prices vary based on total airframe and engine hours, maintenance, and overall condition. The G550 was last produced in 2021 and the list price for a newer plane is around $50 million, depending on configuration. Average sales prices for an airplane built in 2005-2006 are in the range of US$12 million to US$18 million (from R$57 million to R$86 million at current exchange rates).

Newer models aged 5 to 6 years usually cost between US$ 28 million and US$ 33 million (R$ 133 million to R$ 158 million), according to research on aircraft buying and selling websites. This average value was considered in the Aeroin analysis.

The costs, however, go beyond the acquisition, as it is necessary to have the aircraft up to date, hire and train pilots and support staff, store it in a reliable hangar, fuel, among others. A G550 is estimated to cost around US$3,000 (R$14,000) per flight hour.