A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

It hasn’t yet entered service, but Gulfstream Aerospace’s new G500, making its public debut in China at ABACE 2018, has already set eight new city-pair speed records on continent-to-continent flights, the company announced. The record-setting flights, all undertaken as part of a customer-focused world tour, are “indicators of the unmatched speed and performance of Gulfstream aircraft,” said company president Mark Burns.

 


The G500 and G600 are here in Shanghai, making their first appearances at ABACE, and they are joined by the G280, G550, G650ER. ABACE attendees are encouraged to view the G500 interior&nbsp;(Chalet 3), which is equipped with a spacious, brightly lit, three-living area interior fitted to accommdate 13 passengers. Gulfstream said that its Asia-Pacific fleet has more than doubled since 2010, and there are now 285 large-cabin Gulfstreams and more than 330 of all Gulfstream models&nbsp;in the region.

 


The run-up of records commenced in February on flights connecting Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean and included a Singapore-to-Dubai leg completed in six hours and 54 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90. A pair of transatlantic records were also established during the tour: Luanda, Angola to Foz Do Iguaçu, Brazil in eight hours and nine minutes at Mach 0.90; and Lagos, Nigeria to Bridgetown, Barbados in nine hours and eight minutes at Mach 0.87. For a flight from Kona, Hawaii to Melbourne, Australia, speed was dialed back to Mach 0.85, but the G500 still set a record of 10 hours and 37 minutes in making the transit. (The records are pending confirmation with the National Aeronautic Association.)

 


Burns said the G500’s world tour, new records and customer interest “prove its unparalleled reliability, speed, and comfort.” The G500 can fly 5,200 nm at Mach .85.

 


The company also announced it will extend the hours of operation and add more capabilities at its company-owned service center at Beijing Capital International Airport. A 3:30 p.m. to 12 p.m. shift, Monday through Friday, will be added during the second quarter, and some 10 technicians or inspectors will be added. The extended hours will enhance support for customers based in and traveling through the region, and is part of the company’s strategy to add heavy scheduled maintenance inspection “as our aircraft in the region mature,” said Derek Zimmerman, president, Gulfstream product support.&nbsp;

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