Gulfstream Aerospace is having an eventful year. While the company has never done such a pair at once before, Gulfstream leaders expect to certify and enter into service their two newest business jets, the G500 and G600. The Savannah-based aircraft manufacturer’s determination to produce these two twinjets in the same year resulted in five flight test aircraft for each model — and new city-pair flight records.
Peak performance
To introduce the aircraft to the public, Gulfstream sent the large-cabin ultra-long-range G500 model, which can fly 5,200 nautical miles at Mach 0.85 or 4,400 nautical miles at Mach 0.90, on a 12-country world demo tour. The tour started Jan. 8 in Dallas with stops in cities including “Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Milan, Moscow, Beijing, and Melbourne.” The G600 joined the G500 on part of the tour, and the pair set several new city-pair records, including transpacific flights from Shanghai to Honolulu and Honolulu to Savannah, Georgia.
“Gulfstream customers are accustomed to flying practically anywhere in the world at record speeds, and the G500 and G600 have been doing just that as they near certification,” Gulfstream President Mark Burns told AINonline. “These records showcase the real-world capabilities of these impressive aircraft.”
But it’s not all about speed for these two luxury jets. They are also the most technologically advanced aircraft, providing the ultimate in performance, safety, and long-range comfort.
Ready to launch
As certification draws near, Gulfstream is encouraging business aviation insiders to take advantage of the immersive reality experiences it is offering at various locations around the globe. After making its public debut at NBAA in fall 2017, the G600 joined the G500 in appearances at EBACE and ABACE where attendees had the opportunity to see first-hand the aircrafts’ advanced design and safety innovations. They also got to experience Virtual Flight, an interactive experience that features “a view of the pilot seat, all-new active control sidesticks, and a throttle quadrant” as well as experiment with configurations in “Paint Design, Seat Design, and Cabin Experience.”
The jets are drawing a great deal of interest in both Europe and Asia, and visitors have been impressed by their performance, efficiency, and comfort. What, exactly, makes these siblings so attractive? It could be their wider and taller cabins and faster cruise speeds. Behind their Mach 0.90 speeds are Pratt & Whitney Canada’s new PW800 engines paired with Gulfstream’s new wings, according to Aviation Week.
Other aircraft news
The G500 and G600 are not the only Gulfstreams making news. The G650ER recently added a city-pair speed record, pushing its total tally over 70. And this one is impressive, as it occurred during a flight over the North Pole, a feat only a few high-performance jets can accomplish. The jet made the trip from White Plains, New York, to Shanghai — a total of 6,870 nautical miles — in 13 hours and 40 minutes. As Burns announced in a press release, “Access to these demanding, long-range routes is invaluable for our customers.”
The G650ER can fly 7,500 nautical miles at Mach 0.85. It has two Rolls-Royce BR725 engines and can seat as many as 19 passengers in its fully customizable interior configuration.
If all goes as expected, two more large-cabin fly-by-wire aircraft will be certified and ready for service by the end of the year. If you need a jet for traveling the globe quickly, efficiently, and comfortably, Gulfstream’s new options may be just what you’re looking for. And if you can’t wait for their entry into service to fly in luxury, you might look to a preowned Gulfstream jet for your personal or business travel.
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