News Release
GULFSTREAM G550 SETS MORE CITY-PAIR SPEED RECORDS -- THIS TIME BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES
Ultra-long-range G550 Business Jet Performs "Flawlessly"
SAVANNAH, Ga., March 11, 2004 – The Gulfstream G550 has set two more city-pair speed records on round-trip flights between the United States and Europe. With these two additional records, the G550 has established a total of 11 city-pair speed records since the large-cabin, ultra-long-range business jet aircraft entered service in September 2003. Additionally, a G550 recently set a distance record of 6,554 nautical miles that shattered the previous ground distance record of 6,132 nautical miles set by a Gulfstream V in 1997.
“The G550 continues to perform flawlessly,” said Bryan Moss, president, Gulfstream. “With each new record-setting flight, the G550 further establishes itself as the clear and credible leader in the ultra-long-range business jet category.”
On March 8, a G550 took off from Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C. and landed 7 hours and 24 minutes later at Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, Germany. Three days later, the G550 took off again, this time from Rotterdam Airport in the Netherlands and landed 7 hours and 27 minutes later at Dulles. Gulfstream is awaiting official recognition by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) for the following two speed records:
| City-to-City | Distance | Time | Avg Air Speed |
| Washington D.C.-to-Berlin | 3780 nm 7 hrs | 24 min. | Mach .85 |
| Rotterdam-to-Washington D.C. | 3441 nm 7 hrs | 27 min. | Mach .87 |
Gulfstream G400/G550 International Captains Sean Sheldon and Tony Briotta flew both transatlantic flights. Six passengers and three crew members were onboard for both of the record-setting flights.
Introduced in October 2002, the G550 comes fully equipped and includes the state-of-the-art PlaneView flight deck, Head-Up Display and FAA-certified Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS). The flagship of the Gulfstream business jet fleet, the G550 can accommodate up to 18 passengers, fly at a maximum speed of .885 Mach and cruise at a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet. Owners of the G550 can choose from multiple cabin layouts and several customer-preferred option packages. Customers can also choose to customize the interior to best meet their individual needs, including selecting either forward or aft galleys.
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 1,400 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 G300™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350™; the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G400™; 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 6,750 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, Va., employs approximately 67,600 people worldwide and had 2003 revenue of $16.6 billion. The company has leading market positions in land and amphibious combat systems, mission critical information systems and technologies, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.
