Sets City-Pair Speed Record Between Washington, D.C., And Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

A Gulfstream G550 business jet has established a new city-pair speed record between Washington, D.C., and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, flying 5,429 nautical miles in just 10 hours and 19 minutes.

The large-cabin, ultra-long-range G550 took off from Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. at 5:40 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, and flew nonstop, landing 10 hours and 19 minutes later on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, located on the Egyptian coast of the Sinai Peninsula. The G550 flew at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.85.

Gulfstream production test pilot Ahmed Ragheb served as pilot-in-command and Bill Watters, Gulfstream chief pilot for G550/G450 demonstration, served as co-captain. Additional crew members included John Mackay and Neil Vernon, both Gulfstream international captains, and Linda Barr, flight attendant.

Also aboard the flight were three Gulfstream employees who will be attending Egypt's first business aviation air show, AVEX 2005. The three-day air show, which opens Feb. 23, will be held at the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport where the record-setting G550 as well as the large-cabin, mid-range G200 business jet will be on hand for static display.

"We wanted to demonstrate how the G550's reliability, cabin comfort and ultra-long- range capability coupled with our award-winning product support makes it the obvious choice for individuals and companies who travel the world regularly," said Bryan Moss, president, Gulfstream.

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

About The G550

The G550 can accommodate up to 18 passengers, fly at a maximum speed of .885 Mach and cruise at a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet. With a 100 percent fresh air system, maximum cabin altitude of 6,000 feet and 14 signature oval windows that allow for ample natural lighting, the G550 cabin maximizes passenger comfort while decreasing the effects of travel fatigue and jet lag.

The G550 features one of the most technologically advanced cockpits in commercial aviation. Gulfstream  notes that the cockpit is "unique in its blending of state-of-the-art technology and simplicity in its presentation of information." PlaneView has supplanted the "dials and steam gauges" technology that has dominated the business jet cockpit for the past 20 years. By incorporating the most advanced computer software, hardware and display technologies available and marrying them with the latest in infrared camera technology, the G550 PlaneView cockpit reduces pilot workload while increasing safety. With PlaneView, all flight information - navigation, aircraft systems, communication and pilot situational awareness - is just a cursor click away. The G550 also features as standard equipment the revolutionary Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System, recognized in 2004 by the FAA with one of two Excellence in Aviation Research awards.

The G550 development team is the 2004 recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy, the nation's highest level of recognition for advancements in aviation.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com