FIRST GULFSTREAM G450 TO BE OPERATED IN ASIA
Gulfstream to Deliver G450 to Speed Jet Chartered Ltd. in 3rd Quarter, Metrojet to Manage Business Jet in Hong Kong
SAVANNAH, Ga., August 9, 2005 - When the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450 business jet is delivered next month to its owner, Speed Jet Chartered, Ltd., it will have the distinction of being the first G450 to be operated in Asia. Based in Hong Kong, the G450 will be available for charters and used jointly by the company’s shareholders. It will be managed and operated by Metrojet, Asia’s leading provider of corporate aircraft charter services.
"The principals at Speed Jet Chartered Ltd. chose the G450 because of its reliability, range capability and high-speed performance, which are ideal for private and charter flights in and around the Asia/Pacific region," said Bryan Moss, president, Gulfstream. "With a range of 4,350 nautical miles, the G450 can fly nonstop between cities like Hong Kong to Melbourne, Dubai or Anchorage; and Beijing to Moscow."
Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), introduced the G450 at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Annual Meeting and Convention in October 2003 – six months after it took its first flight.
With its unique performance and price point, the G450 was developed for customers whose travel requirements include long-range capability, a state-of-the-art cockpit, and the unsurpassed cabin comfort that is synonymous with the Gulfstream name.
The G450 cabin, which can accommodate up to 16 passengers, was designed for comfort. It features a maximum cabin altitude of 6,000 feet when flying at 45,000 feet; 100 percent fresh air; and 12 large oval windows that allow for a generous stream of natural light to fill the cabin. The combined effect of these features leaves passengers feeling rested and relaxed even following long, transoceanic flights.
The aerodynamic characteristics of the G450 fuselage, along with the aircraft’s two upgraded Rolls-Royce Tay MK611-8C engines – each of which provide 13,850 pounds of thrust – enable the G450 to reach speeds of up to Mach 0.88.
On May 17, just a week after entering service, the G450 business jet established its first intercontinental city-pair speed record, flying 3,550 nautical miles from Chicago to London in just 7 hours and 19 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.85.
Both the G450 and its sister ship, the ultra-long-range G550, feature as standard equipment the award-winning Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System. Additionally, the G450 and G550, as well as the mid-range G350 and the ultra-long-range G500, feature the PlaneView™ flight deck – the most advanced flight deck available in commercial aviation. As a result, all four aircraft share the same pilot type rating as that of the Gulfstream V (GV), with minimal differences in training. Customers who operate fleets with two or more of these Gulfstream aircraft will appreciate the cost savings that can be generated in terms of pilot, crew and maintenance training as well as reduced parts inventory.
And like all Gulfstream aircraft, the G450 includes competitive warranty, training and maintenance programs and is supported by Gulfstream’s award-winning worldwide product support network.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation , a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100 ™; the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150 ™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 ™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350 ™; the large-cabin, long-range G450 ™; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500 ™ and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 ™. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales ®. The company employs more than 7,200 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church , Virginia , employs approximately 70,800 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of $19.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.