The G650 has a maximum operating speed of 0.925 Mach, which will make it the fastest civil aircraft

The ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650, powered by two of the new Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, offers the longest range, fastest speed, largest cabin and the most-advanced cockpit in the Gulfstream fleet. It is capable of travelling 7,000 nautical miles at 0.85 Mach or 5,000 nautical miles at 0.90 Mach. Using an advanced aerodynamic design, the G650 has a maximum operating speed of 0.925 Mach, which will make it the fastest civil aircraft. It can climb to a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet, allowing it to avoid airline-traffic congestion and adverse weather.

Comfort figures prominently the G650. The cabin features a clean design; electric seats; redundant systems; a state-ofthe-art cabin management system; unmatched cabin sound levels; the industry’s lowest cabin altitude; and a large, easyto-use galley. These newly designed features provide operators with enhanced reliability, comfort, convenience and control. Every element of the cabin’s design, including small details like the cell-phone chargers, passenger service units, cup holders and faucets, has been rethought and redesigned.

The interior enhancements began with the 16 signature Gulfstream G650 windows. Measuring 28 inches across, these larger windows drove the design of the aircraft’s taller, wider fuselage, allowing Gulfstream to raise the windows 3.4 inches for optimum viewing by seated passengers.

In addition to the abundant natural light the windows provide, the cabin features LED lighting throughout, including motion-activated lights in the drawers, cabinets and closets. With RGB capability, passengers can select any colour, including multiple shades of white, for up and down wash lighting.

Measuring 75 inches high and 98 inches wide, the G650 cabin is not only the largest purpose-built business-jet cabin in the industry; it is also the most comfortable. The increased area allows for dramatically restyled seats, more legroom and larger seats and tables. Yet, for all that, the G650 has a maximum takeoff weight under 1,00,000 lbs (45,360 kg) for access to most business airports.

For the first time in a Gulfstream aircraft, two of the cabin’s standard seats are electrically operated and feature heated back and base cushions, four-way pan tilt, back cushion massage, single-position memory preset and pressand-hold controls for full upright and full flat positions. Controls for those functions are located in the outboard armrest. The inboard armrest can be used for miscellaneous storage or an optional 12.1-inch, high-definition personal monitor. The ledges contain covered docking stations for a passenger control unit (PCU) and a wireless phone. Both the electric and manual seats feature electric lumbar support, pressand-hold electronic release seat tracking/swivel and full-flat berthing capability.

The G650 cabin environment is further enhanced by the lowest cabin altitude in the industry; 4,850 feet (1,478 m) at a flight level of 51,000 feet (15,545 m). The cabin also offers industry-leading cabin sound levels, 100 per cent fresh air and an advanced environmental control system with quieter air distribution and independently vented lavatories.

The Gulfstream cabin management system (GCMS) provides digital control of cabin systems through touch screens, capacitive touch switches and passenger control units. Using an iPod touch that is synched to a particular seat on the aircraft, passengers will be able to control the lighting, temperature, speakers, monitors, entertainment equipment, window shades, CabinView system and attendant call for their specified location on the aircraft.

They would also be able to set and save their preferences for a particular activity, including working, dining, relaxing and sleeping. For example, if their preferred working conditions involve the reading light, a closed window shade and a certain colour temperature for the indirect lighting, they will be able to save those preferences under the “work” label. When “work” is selected from the menu, the GCMS will automatically adjust to the preset conditions for that environment.

Gulfstream’s Cabin Essential design philosophy means all G650’s major cabin systems have been designed with redundancy so a single-point failure will not result in the loss of cabin functionality. That means a toilet always flushes; water is always available; and an entertainment source always works.

The G650 features the most technologically advanced PlaneView II cockpit with a number of enhancements including: four 14-inch, adaptive, liquid-crystal displays; three standard PlaneBook computer tablets; a smaller pedestal; a standby multifunction controller that combines current display controller functionality with standby flight instruments; and a fully automatic, three-dimensional scanning weather radar with an integral terrain database for efficient groundclutter elimination.