Galaxy Aerospace Specs and Description

Background/History

The Galaxy IAI 1126 was Israel Aircraft Industries first all-new corporate jet design. Originally designated the Astra IV, the mid-size Galaxy was part of IAI’s long term strategy to develop a family of business aircraft and was produced alongside the 1125A Astra SPX. Essentially, the Galaxy featured a wing design based on the swept high-speed unit of the Astra series, but was otherwise a new design built around a wide-body fuselage that was also longer than the Astra’s and had stand-up headroom. The Galaxy program initially produced a unique partnership with Russian aircraft designer Yakolev who, under a cooperation agreement, would design and manufacture the aircraft fuselage while IAI would be responsible for the wing design, final assembly, integration and marketing. However, in 1995 IAI was forced to find a replacement company to build the fuselage and selected SOGERMA of France to replace Yakolev. Problems continued however, and in 1997 the Galaxy Aircraft Company was created as a division of IAI to continue the development and production of the new aircraft. The Galaxy 1126 first flew in December 1997, subsequently received FAA certification in December 1998, with first customer deliveries in 2000 and by year’s end 7 had been delivered. The company was acquired by Gulfstream Aerospace in 2001 and began production of the G200 based on the Galaxy.

Power

The Galaxy is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney of Canada PW306A turbofan engines rated at 6,040 lbs. of thrust each to ISA+10C. Engine operation is controlled through a dual channel, full authority digital electronic controller (FADEC). Inspection interval on the engines is 6,000 hours.

Avionics

The Galaxy 1126 features the Collins Pro Line 4 avionics suite with a five-tube EFIS configuration that includes a centrally positioned EICAS display. Standard equipment includes a dual-channel autopilot, dual AHRS, and dual digital air data computers. The package also includes dual ARINC 429 Pro Line comm/nav/ident radios with dual DMEs, ADFs and integrated radio tuning units. Also installed are a Collins ALT-4000 radio altimeter, WXR-840 weather radar and a single Allied Signal GNS-X/ES FMS.

Design Features

The Galaxy 1126 is a super mid-size business turbofan powered aircraft whose airframe primary structures are of aluminum alloys, steel and titanium. Some secondary structures are fabricated from composite materials. The result is an impressively light-weight airframe with advanced aerodynamics, capable of carrying a large useful load. The super-critical wing shape, borrowed from the Astra, is the prime reason for the Galaxy’s range, speed and payload performance. The wing features hydraulically actuated Krueger flaps on the inboard leading edge to enhance slow-speed performance. The wing’s two-section spoilers are hydraulically actuated as well. Each wing also has electrically-actuated leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps. Both the elevators and ailerons are hydraulically actuated with artificial control feel provided. The rudder is manually actuated. The retractable tricycle landing gear is hydraulically actuated and features two wheels on each unit whith a trailing link type mount on the main gear assemblies.

Accomodations

The interior of the Galaxy features seating for eight passengers in a double club layout in the normal corporate configuration, or up to eighteen in a high-density arrangement. As a mid-size, wide body design, the Galaxy cabin’s dimensions are 24.4ft in length, 6.4ft in height and 7.2ft in width. An aft, full-width lavatory, a forward coat closet behind the entry door and a forward galley across from the 33in. wide entry door are included in the interior layout. A 125cu ft external heated and pressurized baggage compartment is not accessible in flight.