Gulfstream Delivers Its First G800

Good morning! Summer’s winding down, the kids are back in school and the mornings finally have that crisp edge to them. For pilots, that means denser air, better climbs and just plain better flying weather. Fall really is one of the best times to be in the sky. Let’s dive into this week’s news. 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• The Wait Is Over—Gulfstream Delivers Its Flagship G800

• Around the Skies: Solar flight breaks 15-Year record, Help NASA map Orion’s moon path, STEM FLIGHTS brings aviation into classrooms, Tragedy strikes F-16 practice in Poland

• PilotTube: When the Highway Becomes a Helipad

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Certified in April, Delivered in August—G800 Hits the Market

Back in April, we reported on Gulfstream’s flagship G800 earning FAA and EASA certification—and now the jet has officially entered service. Gulfstream announced the first delivery of its all-new G800, the world’s longest-range business jet, capable of flying an astounding 8,200 nautical miles without stopping. While the company didn’t publicly name the launch customer, industry outlets identified pharmaceutical giant Pfizer as the proud new operator.

The twin-engine G800 isn’t just about raw distance—it also brings speed, certified to Mach 0.935, matching the Gulfstream G700. At long-range cruise (Mach 0.85), it can cover continents with ease, while its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90 makes transoceanic dashes possible in record time. It’s the kind of performance that turns a globe-spanning itinerary into something that feels almost local.

Inside, the G800 offers luxury at altitude with 16 signature oval windows, a plasma ionization air purification system and flexible cabin layouts—up to four living spaces or three plus a crew compartment. The jet’s cabin is finished at Gulfstream’s Appleton, Wisconsin facility, where customers can personalize everything from interiors to paint schemes.

With Bombardier’s Global 8000 entering service later this year and Dassault’s Falcon 10X expected in 2027, the race for ultra-long-range supremacy is heating up. But for now, Gulfstream holds the crown, delivering a jet that blends speed, range and luxury in a package that seems tailor-made for globe-trotting titans of industry.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ Swiss pilot Raphaël Domjan soared to 31,200 feet in his solar-powered SolarStratos aircraft, claiming a new altitude record for electric flight. Powered only by sunlight, he crossed paths with a commercial jet and called the experience “a moment out of time.” The flight broke a 15-year record and puts him within reach of his next goal—the mythical 10,000-meter mark (32,808 feet).

🛩️ Ready to chase a spaceship around the moon? NASA is calling on commercial ground station operators to help track the Orion capsule during its first crewed lunar flyby as part of the Artemis II mission. The agency is seeking one-way Doppler tracking—listening in on Orion’s signals as it travels through deep space (no transmissions required). With launch slated for April 2026, it’s a unique opportunity for private partners to join a mission that's making history.

🛩️ STEM Flights, a nonprofit dedicated to sparking curiosity in aviation, has launched free classroom lesson plans for grades 6–12. Designed to be teacher-friendly—even for those with no aviation background—the plans cover everything from aerodynamics to flight planning and careers in aerospace. The goal is to ignite classroom curiosity that leads students to discovery flights with volunteer pilot mentors.

🛩️ Tragedy struck in Poland as an F-16 fighter jet crashed during practice for the Radom Air Show, claiming the life of Major Maciej Krakowian of the Polish F-16 Tiger Demo Team. The mishap, caught on video by bystanders near Radom-Sadkow Airport, drew swift response from authorities and heartfelt tributes from Poland’s defense minister. Officials have launched a full investigation into the accident, while the aviation community mourns the loss of a skilled pilot.

PilotTube

Landing a medevac helicopter on the Interstate isn’t an everyday occurrence, but it makes for an unforgettable scene call. Off-airport operations bring both excitement and challenge, keeping crews alert to hazards and committed to safety at every step. It’s a vivid reminder of the adventure and responsibility that come with flying medevac—and why the privilege of flight never gets old. 🚁

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