Gulfstream G650 breaks Mach 0.925

 

The first G650 built by Gulfstream successfully reached a speed of Mach 0.925 whilst on a test flight. This means that it will be the world’s fastest business jet aircraft when it is delivered to customers in 2012.

Gulfstream’s first G650 has successfully flown at its top speed of Mach 0.925 on a test flight. The ultra-long range aircraft was flying at 42,500.

“The G650 excelled at its top speed of Mach 0.925,” says John O’Meara, Gulfstream’s chief test pilot who was flying the aircraft along with senior experimental test pilot Tom Horne. “Even at near the speed of sound, the aircraft provides stable and precise handling characteristics. It’s very responsive to pilot input with fantastic maneuver capabilities.”

Gulfstream launched the G650 on March 13, 2008. The first test aircraft flew on November 25, 2009 with the second test aircraft flying on February 25. Gulfstream will build five test aircraft in total. The manufacturer hopes to receive certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2011. The first customer deliveries will be in 2012.