After nine years in production, the long awaited Gulfstream G650 is about to make its official debut. Just last week Gulfstream Aeronautics received a Type Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration on the aircraft, opening the door for deliveries to begin before the end of the year. Gulfstream currently has over 200 orders for the plane which is expected to sell on the high side of $60 million.
 Experience long range travel in comfort in the G650 |
 Sample mockup of the 47ft G650 cabin |
Building on the success of the G550, the G650 ups the ante a bit. It will be the fastest, longest range, highest flying plane Gulfstream has ever produced all wrapped up in a single package. Designed to accommodate up to 19 passengers, Gulfstream has incorporated every bell and whistle in their basket into the aircraft and they start with the showiest part, the cabin. The G650 has 16 of the largest windows of any aircraft in the industry, delivering a bright and airy cabin with a spacious feel. The 47 foot long cabin almost seems cavernous at 6’5” high and a 8’6” wide, and is available with 12 pre-configured floor plans which can include a private stateroom, a conference table for conducting business and fully reclining seats for resting on long intercontinental trips.
 The G650 cabin has room to stretch out in comfort |
 The G650 at 2009 announcement rollout event. |
Gulfstream was the first in the industry to build an aircraft designed specifically for business, and through the decades they have mastered the needs of the business traveler. The G650 raises the bar for ultra long-range business aircraft with the sophisticated Gulfstream Cabin Management System which puts temperature, lighting and high definition audio and video component controls at the fingertips of each seat occupant. A smartphone link will allow sharing of personal music throughout the cabin, and the accessibility of email, internet and phone calls makes efficient use of business travelers’ time while aloft.
Designed for intercontinental travel, the G650 has a range of 7000 nm and a top cruising altitude of 51,000 feet. And its twin Rolls-Royce BR725 engines can deliver a crazy fast speed up to Mach 0.925, making it the fastest business jet anywhere. But despite its size and power, it requires strips as short as 6000 feet for takeoff, making it accessible to smaller airports worldwide. The plane seems destined to be a success, and Gulfstream is clearly excited about it. As Jay L. Johnson, CEO of Gulfstream’s parent, General Dynamics said, the G650 is “sure to become a milestone aircraft in aviation history.” Welcome aboard.
