October 19, 2010 - Just prior to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Meeting and Convention in Atlanta, Gulfstream test pilots and engineers made a compelling demonstration of the Gulfstream G650’s exceptional high-speed cruise capabilities, flying a 5,000-nautical-mile (9,260 km) closed circuit at Mach 0.90 over the Atlantic Ocean in 9 hours and 45 minutes.

“Never has a business jet flown so far, so fast, so flawlessly,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream.  “This airplane defines a new level of productivity. Part of that is the ability to move executives in comfort swiftly around the world.”

Due to the aircraft’s experimental status and its current lack of reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) approval, there were some restrictions to the route that could be selected for a high-speed demonstration. Therefore, the aircraft flew in an offshore warning area in a 200- nautical-mile race-track pattern with 70-mile (113 km) turns flown at an approximate bank angle of 12 degrees. Temperature along the route was close to ISA with the worst case being ISA+7.

Descent was at Mach 0.90, transitioning to 300 knots and then 250 knots at 10,000 feet (3,048 m) with a return landing with NBAA IFR reserves in Savannah. “At those speeds, we could have been in Buenos Aires for dinner, or in Hawaii for lunch due to the time zone change” said Horne. “We continue to be impressed by the reliability and capability of this airplane at this early stage in its development.” The G650 has a range of 7,000 nm (12,964 km) at Mach 0.85. It is the largest, fastest, longest-range purpose-built business jet. Certification is planned for 2011 with customer deliveries beginning in 2012.