Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s new super mid-cabin G280 aircraft recently set 15 new city-pair speed records, including one from Honolulu to Savannah, as part of the company’s reliability demonstration program.
The 250-hour internal testing program, among the most extensive voluntary reliability programs ever implemented by Gulfstream, served to enhance fleet reliability, enrich pilot training and improve customer readiness, according to Mark Burns, Gulfstream’s president for product support.
“The Gulfstream reliability demonstration program incorporates pilot check rides, maintenance on auxiliary power units, engine run qualifications, technical operations, publications validations and basic servicing and handling at typical fixed-base operators,” Burns said.
“This is just one more way we are going above and beyond for our customers, ensuring they have the most reliable and high-performing aircraft.”
Of the 15 new city-pair speed records set as part of the program, the most notable were a flight from Aspen, Colo., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and one from Honolulu to Savannah. The super mid-sized aircraft has established 22 speed records since setting its first in May.
“Two of these new speed records are particularly significant because they demonstrate the G280’s capability to reach the East Coast from Aspen and to travel an exceptional distance,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
The G280 flew from Aspen-Pitken County Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 3 hours and 21 minutes. It flew 1,640 nautical miles at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.84, or 640 miles per hour. On board were demo pilots Santiago Koritschoner, Brian Erickson and Stephanie Ruyle.
In November, the G280 flew from Honolulu to Savannah in 8 hours and 19 minutes, a total of 4,124 nautical miles at an average speed of Mach 0.80, or 609 miles-per-hour. On board were Brian Dickerson, senior production test pilot; Scott Evans, engineering test pilot; and Scott Blouin, avionics and electrical technician.
The city-pair speed records have been certified by the National Aeronautic Association, the official record keeper for U.S. aviation, and forwarded to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for approval as world records.
The G280 is certified to fly 3,600 nautical miles with four passengers at Mach 0.80, some 200 nautical miles farther than the company announced at the program’s launch in 2008. In addition to more range, the aircraft’s balanced field length has been reduced from 4,960 feet to 4,750 feet, an improvement of more than 1,300 feet compared to the G200, the aircraft the G280 replaces.
The G280 is manufactured in Israel through a partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries in Tel Aviv and entered into service on Nov. 14.