Tour The Gulfstream G650, The Best Private Jet $65 Million Can Buy
The G650 is the largest purpose-built private jet on the market, and has the tallest, longest, and widest cabin in its class.
At its maximum takeoff weight, it can climb to 41,000 feet (above bad weather and crowded commercial jet routes) in just 22 minutes.
Its range is more than 8,000 miles. Flying from London at near its top speed, it can reach New York and Beijing. At a slower, more fuel-efficient rate, it can get to Buenos Aires and Los Angeles.
With two Rolls-Royce engines, the plane has a top speed of Mach .925 — nearly the speed of sound, and much faster than commercial jets.
Big windows in the cockpit allow the pilots to see the tips of the plane's wings, helpful for navigating on the ground.
A camera under the plane's nose helps them see what's below the plane.
The plane's Enhanced Vision System can project an infrared image of what its cameras see onto the pilot's Head-Up Display.
Pilots also have the Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display, which uses terrain data to create a digital view of the plane's surroundings, for use in low visibility conditions.
G650 pilots get the standard sheep skin cover for their seats — it's not only comfortable, it's great for absorbing sweat.
For $65 million, you get more than a well-equipped cockpit. The G650's cabin is totally luxurious.
There's room on board for eight passengers and a crew of four.
There's a separate compartment so a crew member can give passengers privacy and still be comfortable.
Buyers choose from 12 different floor plans, and can customize the look of their plane.
Naturally, there are several big television screens.
'Les Miserables' was playing when we checked out the plane. It looked pretty good.
An iPhone app can be used to control the screens, as well as things like lighting and opening the shades.
The seats are a lot bigger than the ones travelers get to enjoy in economy class.
They also swivel and have foot rests.
And lie flat for those who want a good night's sleep.
During the day, the huge windows (16% bigger than those on the Gulfstream G550) let in lots of light.
The galley is equipped with a water sterilization system, as well as china, crystal, and flatware for serving excellent meals.
And the bathroom looks nicer than what you find in many New York City apartments.
On top of the luxury amenities, the G650's structure and engines are designed so the cabin can be pressurized to a higher level than normal.
The result is that passengers feel like they're breathing at an altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 feet, not about 8,000, like on commercial jets. That makes flying less tiring and even more comfortable.
Have $65 million to spare? Sorry, but the next available spot on the list won't get you in a G650 until 2017 — and there's no way to cut the line.
Now take a look at a much bigger ride.
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