Gulfstream Aerospace (Steve Cass, Vice President, Communications) in an interview with SP’s Aviation, spoke about the company’s latest innovation

SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year?

Gulfstream: The Paris Air Show was a very successful event for Gulfstream. We hosted numerous customers from around the world including North America, Africa and Asia. Both the quantity and quality of the customers were excellent.

SP’s: What all success stories you would have concluded at the show and if you may like to share with us?

Gulfstream: One success story was the arrival of the G650 to the air show. We departed Savannah, Georgia, in the US and flew non-stop at Mach 0.9 arriving into Paris Le Bourget in seven hours and twelve minutes. This broke the existing 25-yearold GIV record by more than an hour.

SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show?

Gulfstream: Luckily, the bad weather did not last for an extended period of time. Once the weather cleared, customer traffic quickly returned to normal levels.

SP’s: Can you indicate on which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show?

Gulfstream: Gulfstream had our two newest aircraft on display at the show, the G280 and G650. This was the first appearance of these aircraft at the Paris Air Show. Both aircraft were certified and entered service in 2012.

SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring in the market once available for potential users?

Gulfstream: Both the G280 and the G650 are extremely innovative aircraft. Our new G280 aircraft provides best-in-class performance, efficiency, technology and cabin comfort. With a range of 3,600 nm (6,667 km), it is the only super midsize aircraft that can reliably fly from London to New York against the winds. In fact, the G280 set a world city-pair speed record in 2012 with a non-stop flight from Paris to New York in seven hours and forty minutes. It is also the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class and has very low emission levels.

The G650 has established a new market segment for the industry. The G650 has the largest cabin, the most advanced safety features, and can fly farther and faster than any other purpose-built business jet. Carrying eight passengers, the G650 can fly 7,000 nm (12,964 km) at Mach 0.85 and 6,000 nm (11,112 km) at Mach 0.9. This enables the G650 to fly from Paris to Beijing or Paris to Los Angeles at 9/10ths the speed of sound. The G650 also has the most comfortable cabin with the largest windows in the industry, the lowest cabin altitude and extremely quiet cabin sound levels.