Company Says Flagship 'Sets New Standard For Business Aviation'

Gulfstream on Friday recognized the one-year anniversary of the first customer delivery of the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650. In a year’s time, the company has delivered nearly 50 G650 aircraft to customers.

“The G650 has proven to be a game-changer, not only for Gulfstream, but for business aviation overall,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “Customers continue to tell us how impressed they are with the aircraft, which sets a new world standard for performance, range, speed, safety and comfort.”

Gulfstream announced the G650 on March 13, 2008. In front of more than 7,000 employees, customers and suppliers, the aircraft rolled out under its own power on Sept. 29, 2009, and took its first flight nearly two months later, on Nov. 25, 2009. Seven flight-test aircraft participated in the flight-test program, accumulating more than 4,418 hours over 1,319 flights. The aircraft earned its type certificate from the FAA on Sept. 7, 2012, and its certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency on Dec. 21, 2012. Other countries and territories that have certified the G650 include Aruba, Australia, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Mexico, New Zealand and San Marino. Aircraft are based in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America.

Just prior to the aircraft’s entry into service, Gulfstream announced enhanced performance characteristics, including 1,000 nm more range at this speed. The G650 can travel farther faster than any other business jet with a range of 6,000 nm at its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90, or 7,000 nm at Mach 0.85. “The G650 has had the most successful product introduction in the history of business aviation. Within hours of its announcement, we had secured 200 orders for the aircraft,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, Gulfstream. “The feedback we continually receive from customers is that the G650 has exceeded their wildest expectations.”

Each of the airplane's two Rolls-Royce BR725 A1-12 engines provides 16,900 pounds of thrust, yet the Gulfstream says the aircraft burns less fuel and produces fewer emissions than many other aircraft.

(G650 image from file)

FMI: www.gulfstream.com