Gulfstream commemorates Collier Trophy win with city-pair record

SAVANNAH, GA – Gulfstream Aerospace Corp today announced that its flagship aircraft, the G650ER, set a city-pair record en route to Washington, DC, Monday to commemorate the company’s 2014 Robert J. Collier Trophy win.

The ultra-long-range G650ER departed Paris-Le Bourget Airport, flew into an average 58-knot headwind and arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport 7 hours 50 minutes later. The aircraft accomplished the 3,869-nautical-mile/7,165-kilometer journey at an average speed of Mach 0.90. The record-setting G650ER flew to the U.S. capital to participate in a two-aircraft static display for the Collier Trophy presentation dinner on June 3.

The Collier Trophy is awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) to recognize the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency and safety of air or space vehicles.

Gulfstream won the award for the design and development of the G650 business-jet family, which strengthened business aviation through significant technological advancements in aircraft performance, cabin comfort and safety.

The June 3 trophy presentation represented the third time Gulfstream has received the award. The business jet manufacturer was recognized in 1997 for the advanced design and efficient manufacturing techniques behind the Gulfstream GV and again in 2003 for the technological and safety advances of the G550.

“We couldn’t be more proud to accept this trophy,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “It represents far more than the accomplishments of an aircraft. It represents the men and women behind the product, the suppliers who support it, the customers who believe in it and the dreams that gave us wings to fly.”

After Gulfstream launched the G650 program, the company committed to two facility expansions in Savannah, one in 2006 and the second in 2010. As a result, the company invested nearly $1 billion in facilities and added more than 4,700 jobs in Savannah alone.
Pending approval by the NAA, the city-pair record will be sent to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for consideration as a world record.

The G650ER entered service in November 2014 and travels farther faster than any other business jet in the world. The aircraft can fly 7,500 nm/13,890 km at Mach 0.85 and 6,400 nm/11,853 km at Mach 0.90, an increase of up to 500 nm/926 km over the range of the G650. The G650, which entered service in 2012, is capable of traveling 7,000 nm/12,964 km at Mach 0.85 or 6,000 nm/11,112 km at Mach 0.90.

The G650 and G650ER feature the most technologically advanced PlaneViewTM II flight deck with a number of standard safety enhancements, including the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System II, Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display system and Head-Up Display.

The G650 and G650ER offer the largest purpose-built cabins with the largest windows, the lowest cabin altitudes and the quietest sound levels in business aviation. The cabins also offer 100 percent fresh air. The result is a healthier, more comfortable cabin environment that allows passengers to feel more refreshed when they arrive at their destination.