Gulfstream G650 Sets Speed Record Between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi

Demonstration Aircraft Makes Longest Duration Nonstop Flight Since Entering Service In 2012.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s new ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650 recently set another city-pair speed record, this time between Melbourne and Abu Dhabi. The record is the flagship aircraft’s sixth potential record this year.

The speed record was set as the demonstration aircraft departed Avalon 2013 for the Abu Dhabi Air Expo. The G650, carrying five crew and two passengers, took off from Melbourne International Airport and landed 13 hours and 5 minutes later at Abu Dhabi Al Bateen Executive Airport. The G650 cruised at an average speed of Mach 0.87 for the 6,329-nm (11,721 km) flight.

The Melbourne-Abu Dhabi trip is the demonstration aircraft’s longest duration nonstop flight since it entered service in late 2012. Previously, its longest flight was from Doha, Qatar, to Teterboro, N.J., a journey of 6,102 nm (11,301 km) that the aircraft accomplished in 13 hours and 3 minutes.

Pending approval by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association, this record will be sent to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as a world record.

With a range of 7,000 nm (12,964 km) at Mach 0.85, the G650 can fly farther than any other business jet, enabling operators to reach more city-pairs nonstop. At Mach 0.90, the G650 can fly 6,000 nm (11,112 km), reducing flight times by up to an hour. Its top speed of Mach 0.925 makes the G650 the fastest civilian aircraft in service.


Source: ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Gulfstream Aerospace News – 5 March 2013

Photo: The UAE Abu Dhabi Air Expo Gulfstream G650 (Photo by gulfstream.com)


(5.03.2013)