G550 Flies Nonstop From Seoul, South Korea, to Teterboro, N.J.; From San Francisco to Seoul; and From Beijing to Bedford, Mass.

A Gulfstream G550 recently set three transcontinental speed records between cities in Asia and North America on two separate trips, establishing the 19th, 20th and 2lst G550 city-pair record since it first entered service two years ago. Gulfstream Aerospace is awaiting official recognition of these records from the National Aeronautic Association.

During the first trip, a G550 took oft from Inchon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, at 6:04 p.m. on Oct. 28th. With average tailwinds of 20 knots, it flew 6,534 nautical miles at an average airspeed of Mach 0.80, and landed at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N.J., 13 hours, 45 minutes later, establishing the 19th G550 city-pair speed record. Larry Mueller, Gulfstream senior international captain, served as pilot-in-command while Roc Miles, Gulfstream director, flight operations-demonstration, was co-captain. Also on board were Karin O'Kelly, flight attendant, and two passengers.

The same G550 aircraft set two more city-pair records on the first and final legs of a subsequent trip. On the first leg, the G550 took off from San Francisco International Airport at 8:12a.m. local time on Oct. 29th. With an average headwind of 26 knots, it flew 5,510 nautical miles at an average speed of Mach 0.81, landing 12 hours and 35 minutes later at Inchon International Airport in Seoul at 12:47 p.m. local time the next day.

On the trip's return flight, the G550 took oft from Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, flew 5,946 nautical miles with average tailwinds of 4 knots and at an average airspeed of Mach 0.80. It landed 12 hours and 55 minutes later at Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass. The G550 departed Beijing at 3:26 p.m. local time, crossed the International Dateline and 10 time zones, and landed the same day in Bedford at 3:21 p.m. local time, appearing to land 5 minutes before it took off.

On this double record-setting trip, Gulfstream International Captain Ray Wellington served as pilot-in-command for the first flight and as co-captain on the return flight. Gulfstream Senior International Captain Skip Wilkerson was co-captain on the first flight and pilot-in-command on the return flight. Gulfstream Captain Wendi Sparks, who joined the flight in Beijing, served as relief pilot on the return flight. Flight Attendant Marianne Pruner and two passengers flew both legs.

Through the end of September, Gulfstream has delivered 66 G550 business jets.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com