Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced that the ultralong-range Gulfstream G650ER, sometimes known as the ‘G6’ private jet, has completed a record-breaking flight en route to the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) Show in Dubai. The aircraft bested the previous world speed record by one hour and 48 minutes.
The G650ER flew from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a distance of 6,142 nautical miles (11,375 kilometers), in just 11 hours and two minutes. The flight was completed at an average speed of Mach 0.90.
More than 325 G650 and G650ER aircraft operate around the world, including more than 30 in the Middle East alone.
Pending approval by the National Aeronautic Association, this record will be the G650 family's 79th.
This news builds on the announcement back in October 2018 that the Gulfstream G650 family had achieved more than 75 city-pair records, just a few weeks after the ultra-long-range aircraft demonstrated steep approach capabilities at London City Airport.
The G650ER set the following records, pending approval by the National Aeronautic Association:
- Keflavik, Iceland, to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, in 11 hours and 46 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90
- Beijing to Paris in nine hours and 18 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90
- Tel Aviv, Israel, to Kiev, Ukraine, in two and 41 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90
- Kiev, Ukraine, to London in two and 50 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90
The G650 flew several takeoffs and landings in September as part of the London City Airport Operations and Control Department's evaluation of the aircraft family's steep-approach capabilities. Aircraft that operate at London City require steep-approach certification and operational validation due to the airport's short runway and Central London's stringent noise abatement requirements. The airplane must demonstrate capability to perform the 5.5-degree approach and be able to operate on the short runway — 4,327 feet/1,319 meters for landing. On average, most airport runways have an approach angle of 3 degrees and a length of at least 6,000 ft/1,828 m.
Once approved for London City, the G650 family will be the fastest, largest, longest-range business aircraft to operate at the airport.