Gulfstream Aerospace's G650 family has now 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.

“Even with more than 315 G650ER and G650 aircraft in service around the world, we continue to enhance the utility, flexibility and real-world performance of these already class-defining aircraft,” says president Mark Burns.

The G650ER has demonstrated its performance advantage with the following records, pending approval by the National Aeronautic Association: Keflavik, Iceland, to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, in 11 hours and 46 minutes; Beijing to Paris in nine hours and 18 minutes; Tel Aviv, Israel, to Kiev, Ukraine, in two hours and 41 minutes; and Kiev, Ukraine, to London in two hours and 50 minutes. All records were performed at an average speed of Mach 0.90.

The G650 flew several take-offs 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 there require steep approach certification and operational validation due to the airport's short runway and central London's stringent noise abatement requirements. They must demonstrate capability to perform the 5.5-degree approach and be able to operate on the short runway of 4,327 ft for landing. On average, most airport runways have an approach angle of three degrees and a length of at least 6,000 ft.

Meanwhile, the all-new Gulfstream G600 business jet will deliver range of 5,500 nm at its high speed cruise of Mach 0.90, a 700 nm increase over original projections. Burns says: “Its incredible high speed performance is a testament to our engineering and design teams. As part of our continuous improvement culture they have enhanced this aircraft's capabilities, ensuring we continue to best our customer's expectations. We started with a range projection of 4,800 nm at Mach 0.90, increased that to 5,100 nm in 2017 and are now at 5,500, proving once again that delivering more than we promised is a Gulfstream tradition.”

With its range increase, the G600 can now fly non-stop from London to Los Angeles, São Paulo to Aspen or Hong Kong to Vienna, or 6,500 nm at its long range cruise speed of Mach 0.85. The maximum operating speed for the aircraft is Mach 0.925.

Since December 2016, the five aircraft in the G600 flight test programme have accumulated more than 2,600 flight hours over more than 685 flights. The aircraft is nearing the end of its flight test and certification programme with only crew workload, flight into known icing and function and reliability tests remaining. “The Gulfstream G600 continues to leverage its extensive commonality with the G500,” adds Burns. “Lessons learned on the G500 have enabled us to move with more efficiency through the same tests for the G600.”

The G600 recently completed certification testing for flying qualities; engine and thrust reverser operations; ice protection and environmental control system; field performance; smoke evacuation; flight controls; ventilation and cooling; fuel system and flammable fluid drainage.