Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s new flagship aircraft, the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650, recently established four city-pair speed records in five days, connecting cities in the U.S., Middle East and Russia.
“The G650, which entered service just over two months ago, is redefining what business jet operators can expect from their aircraft,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “Its combination of performance, range, speed and comfort is unparalleled in our industry. When you fly on a G650, you are in for an unforgettable experience.”
The G650’s most recent city-pair record came on January 28. The aircraft departed Moscow Vnukovo Airport and landed at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport 9 hours, 33 minutes later. The G650 cruised at Mach 0.90-0.91 for the 4,774-nautical-mile (8,841 km) journey, which resulted in an average speed of 574 mph (924 km/h).
The aircraft’s record-setting week began on Jan. 23, when it took off from Dulles International Airport outside of Washington, D.C., and landed at Doha International Airport in Qatar. The G650 flew 6,475 nm (11,992 km) at Mach 0.88 in 11 hours, 40 minutes, which resulted in an average speed of 603 mph (970 km/h).
On January 25, the G650 traveled from Doha International Airport to New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport at Mach 0.87 in 13 hours, 3 minutes. The aircraft completed its trip of 6,102 nm (11,301 km) at an average speed of 537 mph (864 km/h). On January 26, the G650 was piloted from Teterboro Airport to Moscow Vnukovo at Mach 0.90. Covering a distance of 4,190 nm (7,760 km), it landed in Moscow 7 hours and 47 minutes later, a record time. The G650’s average speed was 619 mph (996 km/h).
Pending approval by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association, these four G650 city-pair records will be sent to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as world records. The G650, which had three city-pair feats certified in 2012, earned its type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Sepember 7, 2012. The first aircraft was delivered to a customer on December 20, 2012.