If the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) approves it, Gulfstream may have started the speed record wars again in 2006. In recent years, Gulfstream and Bombardier have seemingly played the records game, with the Savannah, Ga.-based airframer sending one of its Gs off on extremely long legs, only to be followed soon thereafter by some flavor of a Bombardier Global doing the same thing between two different locations. The latest play in this game came early last month when a Gulfstream G550 flew 4,082 nm between Hong Kong and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 8 hours and 29 minutes. The G550 flew at an average airspeed of Mach 0.86 into an average headwind in excess of 80 knots.
Additionally, the G550, which is designed to fly most efficiently at an altitude of 51,000 feet, flew between 40,000 and 43,000 feet while flying through India and Pakistans restricted airspace. Piloting the G550 was Hank Gibson, Gulfstream senior international captain, while John McGrath, Gulfstream senior international captain, served as co-pilot. In addition to flight attendant Linda Barr, four passengers were onboard the flight. Gulfstream said it had applied to the NAA to confirm the new city-pair record. Can you hear a Global’s engines warming up?
