Summary
- Gulfstream G650 reaches an impressive speed of Mach 0.925 (983 km/h), setting world records for speed and range.
- With a maximum operating range of 7,000 NM, the G650 can connect cities previously unreachable by private jets.
- The G650ER holds the record for the farthest and fastest flight in business aviation history, showcasing its superior capabilities.
The Gulfstream G650 is a large, twin-engine business jet designed and produced by Gulfstream Aerospace. Capable of carrying up to 19 passengers in its spacious cabin, the aircraft can fly a range of up to 7,000 NM (8,100 miles, 13,000 km). The Gulfstream G650 program began in 2005 and was formally introduced to the public in 2008. Gulfstream took the G650 to the skies for the first time in November 2009 and has produced over 500 units (including the G650ER).
Gulfstream G650 speed
| G650 and G650ER | Speed |
|---|---|
| Cruise Speed | Mach 0.85 – Mach 0.90 (488–516 knots, 903–956 km/h, 561–594 mph) |
| Maximum Operating Speed | Mach 0.925 (531 knots, 983 km/h, 611 mph) |
The Gulfstream G650 is one of the fastest private jets on the market. The aircraft boasts a maximum speed of Mach 0.925 (983 km/h), greater than many other private jets and subsonic commercial airliners. Typical cruise speeds put the aircraft somewhere in the range of Mach 0.85 and 0.9 (903 and 956 km/h), similar to where most commercial airliners fly. The G650 has achieved many world records for speed and operational range.
Photo: Michael Derrer Fuchs | Shutterstock
According to Gulfstream Aerospace,
“With more than 500 aircraft in service and 125-plus world speed records, the G650 and G650ER are among the most trusted business jets in the world.”
Power and range
| Performance characteristics | Gulfstream G650 | Gulfstream G650ER |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | 2x Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofans | |
| Takeoff thrust per engine | 16,900 lbf (75.2 kN) | |
| Takeoff distance | 5,858 ft (1,786 m) | 6,299 ft (1,920 m) |
| Operational range | 7,000 NM (8,100 miles, 13,000 km) | 7,500 NM (8,600 miles, 13,900 km) |
| Service ceiling | 51,000 ft (15,545 m) | |
The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR725 turbofan engines, each producing 16,900 lbf (75.2 kN) of takeoff thrust. A single-stage fan is driven by a two-stage low-pressure (LP) turbine, and a two-stage HP turbine drives a 10-stage high-pressure (HP) compressor. The engine has a thrust-specific fuel consumption of 0.39 lb/(lbf.h) at static sea-level takeoff and 0.64 lb/(lbf.h) at cruise speeds of Mach 0.8 and 35,000 ft (10,668 m) altitude. Nearly 3,500 BR725 engines in service have accumulated well over 10 million flight hours.
Photo: Flexjet
With an operational range of 7,000 NM (13,000 km), the G650 can connect cities once considered unreachable by private jets. Gulfstream increased the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) by 4,000 lbs (1,800 kg) and an equivalent fuel capacity increase on the Extended Range version (G650ER). Increasing the fuel capacity of wet wings by modifying the fuel systems gives the G650ER an additional 500 NM (900 km) range, allowing greater global connectivity.
Gulfstream G650 Vs Bombardier Global 6000: Which Plane Is Best?
The Bombardier 6000 and Gulfstream G650 are excellent planes, but, if money is no object, one is slightly better than the other.
The G650ER can travel massive distances without the need for a fuel stop. City pairs like Los Angeles to Dubai, Sydney to Buenos Aires, and Beijing to Cape Town have become possible thanks to the G650’s operational range. Gulfstream offers a $2 million ER retrofit to existing G650 aircraft.
A world record-setter
| The world-record flight statistics | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Origin | Singapore Changi Airport |
| Destination | Tucson, Arizona |
| Departure date and time | March 29, 2019 at 16:53 hours local time |
| Arrival date and time | March 29, 2019 at 17:16 hours local time |
| Distance | 8,379 NM (15,518 km) |
| Average speed | 520 knots (960 km/h) |
| Flight duration | 15 hours 23 minutes |
One of the Gulfstream G650ER’s many world records was flying farthest and fastest in business aviation. On March 29, 2019, a G650ER flew from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona, in 15 hours and 23 minutes, covering a range of 8,379 NM (15,518 km).
Photo: Gulfstream
According to Gulfstream Aerospace,
“The G650ER holds the record for the farthest fastest flight in business aviation history.”
Gulfstream G650: The Celebrity Private Jet Of Choice
As of September 2022, Gulfstream has built 500 G650s.
With an average speed of 520 knots (960 km/h), the aircraft beat its previous record by 44 minutes and more than 225 NM (420 km). The President of Gulfstream, Mark Burns, expressed his excitement during the event by stating,
“The G650ER has no equal when it comes to its incredible combination of speed and range. Worldwide, you just can’t go farther faster, and this record proves it. The G650 and G650ER show day in and day out that they are class-creating and -leading aircraft that set the standard when they were announced and continue to do so today. Simply put, all others follow.”
Newer variants
In October 2019, Gulfstream Aerospace announced that the iconic G650 would be succeeded by a larger and faster variant, the G700. The fuselage of the G700 is stretched by 10 ft 1 inch (3.07) and can accommodate the same 19 passengers with a more spacious seating/sleeper configuration. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, the aircraft has a greater MTOW than the G650ER for a similar 7,500 NM (13,900 km) range.
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
Two years later, in October 2021, Gulfstream Aerospace announced the G800 as a replacement for the G650. The aircraft is expected to have the longest range in the industry – 8,000 NM (14,816 km) and is expected to enter service sometime this year. Bombardier Aerospace aims to match the G800’s range with its Global 8000 aircraft in 2025.
What are your thoughts on the Gulfstream G650 aircraft and its flight performance? Share your views in the comments section.
