The Gulfstream Aerospace Fanjet was developed from the American Jet Industries Hustler 400 business aircraft through the Gulfstream American Peregrine military trainer. The three companies were successors to each other, all led by one man, Allen E. Paulson.
The innovative Commander Fanjet 1500 (N9881S) made its first flight on January 14, 1983 from Wiley Post Airport, Bethany, Oklahoma, USA. Powered by a 2,200 lb (998 kg) st Pratt & Whitney JT15D-1, at that moment it was the only single-engined business-jet flying. The aim was to appeal particularly the business managers flying their own aircraft and to certify the Fanjet for single-pilot operations.
The gross weight was only 7,500 lb (3,402 kg), the fuselage concept came from the Hustler, and seating was for a pilot, a flight deck passenger and 4 passengers in the roomy cabin. The wings and tail empennage from the Peregrine and during testing in late 1983 the JT15D-1 was replaced by a 2,900 (1,315 kg) st JT15D-5 as used in the Peregrine.
In early 1984 it was decided to go into production with the Peregrine as the aircraft was renamed, this name came available as the military trainer Peregrine program was halted. The production version would have several changes, like upward wing tips instead of downward wing tips, larger rounded air-intake instead of the square one, redesigned wings and tail. Even the more powerful Garrett TFE731-2 of 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) st or two Williams engines were considered.
As a single-engined aircraft the Peregrine needed a stall-speed of 70 mph (113 kmh) in landing configuration, whereas Gulfstream predicted 81 mph (130 kmh). Also other requirements were hard to meet like the pressurization for flying at altitudes up to 38,400 ft (11,704 m). This and many other items required much redesign to meet specifications and regulations. Combined with the lack of buyer's interest, also due to almost double the price compared to propjets, the program was halted in 1985.
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Six-seat light corporate transport
One 2,900 lb (1,315 kg) st Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 turbofan
39 ft 2 in (11.94 m)
42 ft 1.5 in (12.84 m)
16 ft 11.75 in (5.18 m)
5,120 lb (2,322 kg)
8,800 lb (3,992 kg)
416 mph (669 km/h) at 31,000 ft (9,449 m)
2,877 ft (877 m)/min
38,400 ft (11,704 m)
1,600 mls (2,574 km)