Aircraft
Gulfstream G650 satisfies the need for speed
Gulfstream is on track to fulfill business aviation’s need for speed with its new G650 jet reaching its top operating speed of Mach 0.925 during a test fli

Gulfstream is on track to fulfill business aviation’s need for speed with its new G650 jet reaching its top operating speed of Mach 0.925 during a test flight on Sunday.
The large-cabin aircraft is on track to enter service as the world’s fastest in-production civil aircraft, overtaking the Cessna Citation X and perhaps heading off the challenge posed by planned supersonic business jets.

The U.S. airframer’s chief test pilot John O’Meara and senior experimental test pilot Tom Horne piloted the 34-minute flight, which reached an altitude of 42,500 feet and included banking maneuvers. “It was buffet-free up to 45 degrees, and demonstrated pretty powerful aerodynamic characteristics,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test.

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