Aircraft Announced In 2008 Has Set 30 City-Pair Speed Records

Gulfstream marked the one-year anniversary of the first customer delivery of the mid-sized Gulfstream G280 Thursday. To date, approximately 20 G280s have entered service. “This is a significant milestone in the history of the G280 and of our company,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “The G280 is the only super mid-sized aircraft that can reliably fly between London and New York. Its range, in addition to its safety, reliability, handling, styling and cabin management, has made the G280 a winner for our customers since day one.”

Gulfstream announced the G280 on Oct. 5, 2008. The aircraft rolled out under its own power on Oct. 6, 2009. Its first flight, on Dec. 11, 2009, lasted 3 hours and 21 minutes and saw the aircraft fly to 32,000 feet/9,754 meters. A total of three G280 aircraft participated in the flight-test program, flying more than 2,150 hours over 794 test flights.
 
The aircraft earned its type certificate from the FAA on Aug. 30, 2012, and its certification from EASA on Feb. 7, 2013. Its Enhanced Vision System (EVS) II and Head-Up Display (HUD) II were certified by the FAA on June 18, 2013. In addition, the G280 has earned worldwide acceptance with certifications in Azerbaijan, Canada and China.
 
As with all Gulfstream aircraft, the G280 was designed with considerable input from Gulfstream customers who participate in the company’s Customer Advisory Board. Based on their feedback, the G280 is an all-new aircraft that includes a new wing, tail, engine and interior. It also features the Gulfstream PlaneView 280 cockpit based on Rockwell Collins' Pro Line Fusion avionics suite.
 
Originally projected to fly 3,400 nautical miles, the G280 exceeded expectations by 200 nautical miles, resulting in more city-pair connections, best-in-class fuel efficiency and lower operating costs for customers. The aircraft has tremendous performance capabilities and the most comfortable cabin in its class with the Gulfstream-designed cabin management and high-definition entertainment systems, industry-leading cabin sound levels, 19 super-sized windows and access to the baggage compartment from the cabin.
 
To demonstrate the aircraft’s capabilities, the G280 completed a world demonstration tour from December 2012 through September 2013. In total, the demonstrator aircraft visited 189 cities in 39 countries and accumulated more than 730 flight hours. During those 10 months, the jet traveled 270,655 nautical miles.
 
Since entering service in late 2012, the G280 has displayed its best-in-class speed, accumulating more than 30 city-pair speed records. The more significant records include runs from Paris to New York in 7 hours, 41 minutes; Savannah to London in 7 hours, 24 minutes; and Honolulu to Savannah in 8 hours, 18 minutes.
 
The aircraft is powered by twin Honeywell HTF7250G engines, each of which provides 7,624 pounds of thrust. The engines feature reduced emissions, longer maintenance intervals, decreased noise levels and can propel the G280 to FL410 in less than 20 minutes. The aircraft has a range of 3,600 nautical miles at Mach 0.80.

(Image provided by Gulfstream)

FMI: www.gulfstream.com