Aircraft Type Has Set More Than 50 Speed Records

A Gulfstream G550 recently demonstrated its long-range performance capabilities when it set a city-pair speed record between Savannah, GA, and Campinas, Brazil. On Aug. 8, the aircraft took off from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 0756 EDT with 11 passengers and one flight attendant on board and international captains Eric Parker and Anthony Briotta in the cockpit. The G550 landed 8 hours and 28 minutes later at the Viracopos-Campinas International Airport, having flown 3,894 nm (7,212 km) at an average cruise speed of 519 mph.

(L-R) Capts. Eric Parker, Anthony Briotta

The National Aeronautic Association confirmed the flight as a U.S. record and forwarded the figures to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for approval as a world record. The Savannah-Campinos record had previously been unclaimed.

The G550 has set more than 50 city-pair speed records since it entered service in 2003. Powered by enhanced Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan engines, the G550 has a range of 6,750 nm (12,501 km) at Mach 0.80 and a high-speed cruise capability of Mach 0.87. With its long legs, the G550 easily links Washington, D.C., with Dubai, London with Singapore and Tokyo with Paris.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com