News Release
GULFSTREAM G550 BUSINESS JET ESTABLISHES NEW SPEED RECORD BETWEEN HONG KONG AND DUBAI
SAVANNAH , Ga. , April 6, 2006 – A large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 business jet recently established a new city-pair speed record, flying 4,082 nautical miles between Hong Kong and Dubai , United Arab Emirates , in 8 hours and 29 minutes.
On a westward heading, the G550 took off from Hong Kong International – Chek Lap Kok Airport at 3:02 p.m. local time on March 3. It flew at an average airspeed of Mach 0.86 into an average headwind in excess of 80 knots. Additionally, the G550, which is designed to fly most efficiently at an altitude of 51,000 feet, flew between 40,000 and 43,000 feet while flying through India and Pakistan ’s restricted airspace. This record-setting G550 landed at Dubai International Airport at 7:31 p.m. local time.
Piloting the G550 was Hank Gibson, Gulfstream senior international captain, while John McGrath, Gulfstream senior international captain, served as copilot. In addition to flight attendant Linda Barr, four passengers were onboard the flight.
Gulfstream has submitted an application to the National Aeronautic Association to confirm the new city-pair record.
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 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 7,900 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 72,200 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 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 can be found online at www.generaldynamics.com.
