Gulfstream G650 sets new city pair record

                          
A Gulfstream G650, the newest of the Gulfstream business jet family, has set the Shanghai to Newark city pair speed record, but completing the 6,855 nautical mile (12,695 km) trip in 13 hours and 32 minutes.

The ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650 took off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 10:38 pm local time on April 18 with five passengers and four crew members on board. Once airborne, Air Traffic Control restrictions required that the aircraft spend the first hour traveling below 31,000 feet (9,500 m) before climbing to its normal cruising altitude of 41,000 to 51,000 feet (12,500 to 15,500 m). The aircraft cruised at speeds between Mach 0.85 and 0.88, resulting in an average speed of 506 knots from takeoff to touchdown.

The aircraft arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport 13 hours and 32 minutes later at 12:10 am local time. The crew used Gulfstream’s Enhanced Vision System (EVS II) during approach and landing.

“This mission exemplifies the long legs and tremendous technological capabilities of the G650,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Gulfstream. “In this instance, the aircraft overcame real-world operational challenges to accomplish the mission quickly and safely. This is the kind of performance operators can expect from the G650.”

The G650 has a maximum range of 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km) at Mach 0.85. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 0.925.