Citation Sovereign vs G300 vs Falcon 2000 EX EASy

[ncostello]

I am putting together a comparison of these three jets for a friend. What I am looking for on this forum is opinion from pilots who have had some time on one, or more of the planes. What do you like about them, what do you dislike about them. Also, although I have done some research on the basics, it you have obscure data or experience that contradicts published information, I would love to hear it.

Thanks

[Pratt X 3]

Not sure you will get much of a response as there aren't many of those types being operated in Canada. Looking at the CCAR, its shows only 9 Sovereigns, 9 Challenger 300's (assuming you meant the CL300 and not the G300, which Gulfstream doesn't make; yet) and 7 Falcon 2000's (6 being EX's; no info about being EASy's in the Register). So you might not be able to gauge the Canadian viewpoint on those aircraft. However, have a look here:
http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=122140
Almost the same thing you are asking (maybe you are that poster or your friend is) and there are many more of those types being operated in the US compared to here. Try searching that website as there has been many posts comparing those and other aircraft before. Hope that helps.

[xsbank]

The best bargain in corporate aviation right now is the Challenger 604 - 'about' 13 mil, well-known, good on fuel, huge cabin, quiet, long range and bullet-proof engines.

[LegoMan]

You can pick up some Challengers from down south for a bargain right now as CEOs are tying to get rid of them. Personally out of the 3 you gave, the Falcon 2000EX is the best bird. The Citation Sovereign is nice but really falls short on the cabin space you get from the BD300 and DA2000. Cost effectiveness and best bang for the buck would most certainly be the BD300 Challenger. Plus if its being operated in Canada, lots of certified service centres. Not too big, not too small...just right!

BTW I dont have any time on any of them. I did use to work co-op and spent alot of time with business aircraft and learned a lot from the operations perspective.

[lyncher]

We just started operating the Falcon 2000EX EASy. The systems are great, however do have some flaws. This airplane has alot of gotcha's, if you would like me to get into detail with some of them I can.

The aircraft itself, it's great. Fast, fuel efficient, very pilot friendly. Im not too sure exactly what you are looking for here, as I could go on to write you a book about this airplane, if you have any specific questions, let me know.

[JohnnyHotRocks]

I've been on the 2000Easy for about a year now, and agree it is an excellent airplane. Don't think that there are any more "gotcha's" than other airplanes out there, but there are a few interesting ones.
Having also flown the challenger, I would say that the Falcon is FAR superior.

[NovaBoy]

It all depends on what kinds of trips your friend has planned for the aircraft. We operate a Sovereign, and are planning on getting a second. It has incredible short field performance for a 30000lbs jet. We operate regularly out of 4000ft runways with no problem. The ref speeds are around 100kts or less. It can out climb most other jets, and has a service ceiling of 47000ft. The Challengers are limited to 41000ft. It's not as spacious as a Challenger or a Falcon, but you can get a new one for $16 million, verses $21 for the Challenger 300 and $32 for a 2000LX.

It's a great intercontinental airplane that cruises at .78 at FL450. Crossing the pond takes a tech stop in Gander and Shannon, but for us we only do 2-3 crossings a year.

Cheers

[IOTI]

NovaBoy....CL30's certified to FL450 not 410 and it to can operate easily out of 4000'. It has 3200nm + range at .80 and uses the far superior Collins Proline 21. Thought you guys were looking at 2 Hawker 4000's?

[sovereign]

I fly a Sovereign in India, the Sovereign is not the fastest nor the roomiest, but,
1) it is one of the quietest,
2) if you need a aircraft to regular go in and out of 4000 feet runways on hot or high then no other aircraft in its class can compare, a CL 300 and a 2000 will sometimes be able to land on 4000 feet but not all the time. We regular go in and out of a airport which is 3900 long at 5000 feet elevation, with temps around 30-35c, we do this with six or seven passengers and 3.5 hrs of fuel on board and very legal.
3) operating cost are lowest on the Sovereign of the three.
As for Honeywell vs Collins, I have lots of time on both and must say in the end it is what you get use to, both have there good and bad points.
Now as a all around great airplane,and best bang for your buck, then personal I would go for the CL 300, even though I really enjoy flying the Sovereign. Just my humble opinion.

[NovaBoy]

I fly a Sovereign in India, the Sovereign is not the fastest nor the roomiest, but,
1) it is one of the quietest,
2) if you need a aircraft to regular go in and out of 4000 feet runways on hot or high then no other aircraft in its class can compare, a CL 300 and a 2000 will sometimes be able to land on 4000 feet but not all the time. We regular go in and out of a airport which is 3900 long at 5000 feet elevation, with temps around 30-35c, we do this with six or seven passengers and 3.5 hrs of fuel on board and very legal.
3) operating cost are lowest on the Sovereign of the three.
As for Honeywell vs Collins, I have lots of time on both and must say in the end it is what you get use to, both have there good and bad points.
Now as a all around great airplane,and best bang for your buck, then personal I would go for the CL 300, even though I really enjoy flying the Sovereign. Just my humble opinion.

Do you know Capt. Veall?

[NovaBoy]

NovaBoy....CL30's certified to FL450 not 410 and it to can operate easily out of 4000'. It has 3200nm + range at .80 and uses the far superior Collins Proline 21. Thought you guys were looking at 2 Hawker 4000's?

Sorry my mistake on the service ceiling. I use both the Collins Proline and Epic, and I wouldn't go as far as saying it's far superior. More pilot intuitive would be a better way of calling it. I think the best choice would be the Hawker 4000, better performance than the Sovereign and the 300, plus it has 2 ACM packs. Good price on them too.

We are still looking at all our options. Falcon 2000LX's are still on the table too. Boss likes the seats. The rep gave us nice Falcon hats and keychains. Beautiful aircraft to fly.

[vettepilot]

NovaBoy....CL30's certified to FL450 not 410 and it to can operate easily out of 4000'. It has 3200nm + range at .80 and uses the far superior Collins Proline 21. Thought you guys were looking at 2 Hawker 4000's?

Thank you for calling it what it is, a CL30, not G300 or BD300.

The Sovereign is a nice step up from a Hawker 800 but not in the same class as the other two. Between the Challenger (if that is what we are refering to) and the Falcon, the Falcon is much roomier. Roomier than the G200 as well. The EASy cockpit is quite user friendly, but not always intuitive. The Collins Proline 21 is very capable, very user friendly, and very intuitive.

The G200 and CL30 are very close in size, range and payload, but I would take bleed air over boots any day if icing is a consideration. The CL30 will fly 3200 miles any day, climb straight to FL410(FL450 if not at gross), rarely brake energy or SE climb limited, all around very capable. It has numerous nuisance EICAS and currently FMS issues(service bulletin regarding FMS reverting back 19.7 years, software issue) but ours has never been grounded for any mx issues.

Proline 21 is also used in several other aircraft unlike the EASy system, so if multi-type fleets or crew transitions are a factor...

[merlin]

NovaBoy check your PM

[Hawkerflyer]

2000LX..cant be beat!