'Performs as Promised'

Just a week after entering service, a new Gulfstream G450 biz-jet established a new intercontinental city-pair speed record, flying 3,550 nautical miles from Chicago to London in just 7 hours and 19 minutes at an average speed of Mach .85. There were zero en route winds and the aircraft landed with 3,500 lb of fuel remaining.

The G450 set its first speed record on its way to Geneva, Switzerland, where it is being displayed at the annual European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE). Guifstream displayed an experimental G450 in Europe at EBACE last year. Since then, the G450 has received both FAA type certification and EASA validation and officially entered service earlier this month.

The G450 took off from DuPage Airport, just 30 miles west of Chicago, at 6:31 p.m. (local) on May 15 and flew 3,500 nautical miles at an average cruise speed of Mach .85, landing at London-Luton Airport at 7:50 a.m. (local) the next morning. Piloting the G450 was Bill Waners, Guifstream's chief pilot for G550/G450 demonstration, while David Smith, G550/G450 demonstration captain, served as copilot. in addition to flight attendant Kitty Ramage, four passengers were onboard the flight.

"This record-setting flight further demonstrates that the G450 is perfect for international travel," said Pres Henne, Guifstream senior vice president, programs, engineering and test. "in engineering the aircraft, we paid special attention to drag reductions that resulted in increased range and reduced fuel consumption. The G450 can take you faster and farther than any other business jet in its class."

Guifstream has submitted an application with the National Aeronautic Association to confirm the new city-pair record.

The Guifstream G450 business jet took its first flight April 30, 2003, nearly six months before it was first introduced to the public on Oct. 6, 2003 at the National Business Aviation Association's annual meeting. Less than a year later on Aug.12, 2004, the FAA issued the type certificate for the G450. On Nov.19, 2004, the European Aviation Safety Agency validated the FAA certification and on May 9, 2005, Guifstream delivered its first G450 to a customer.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com