Gulfstream Aerospace’s newest twinjets–the super-midsize G280 and super-long-range G650–are making their LABACE debuts this week here in São Paulo. Both aircraft are available for viewing by appointment only at the Gulfstream chalet (Stand 5124).
“We’re pleased to showcase both the G650 and G280 at LABACE for the first time,” said senior vice president of sales and marketing Scott Neal. “Over the past several years, we’ve made a significant investment in the Latin American region, including establishing a dedicated service center in Sorocaba. We’re committed to providing our operators with the best support and resources possible.”
The G650 recently received U.S. FAA approval to take off and land at airports at altitudes up to 4,572 meters (15,000 feet), allowing it to operate into the highest airports in the world. In South America, this list includes La Paz El Alto International Airport in Bolivia (13,310 feet/4,057 meters); Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Peru (12,552 feet/3,826 meters) and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Peru (10,860 feet/3,310 meters).
Meanwhile, the G280 on display for the first time here at LABACE broke yet another speed record while en route to the show. The aircraft type holds more than 30 such records. It made the 5,371-km (2,900-nm) journey from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, at an average speed of Mach 0.81 for a flight time of 6 hours 28 minutes.
Gulfstream president Larry Flynn told AIN that both new jets–along with the G150, G450 and G550, which are on display here in São Paulo this week–have garnered much interest from potential buyers. He is optimistic that many of these prospective buyers will turn into firm order customers, though he said that, as per company policy, no such aircraft sale announcements would be made during LABACE.