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) s.t. 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) s.t. 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
wingtips, 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) s.t. 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.