So, Gulfstream's new flagship has a healthy lead in the ultra-long-range business aircraft class. But Bombardier's Global 7000, promising 7,300-nm range at Mach 0.85, is due to arrive in 2016 and its 7,900-nm Global 8000 enters service just one year later. Longer term, Dassault could challenge G650 with a growth version of its pending SMS.

But the G650 is here and it's delivering on its promises. The competition has still to prove their claims. And Gulfstream already is studying its next generation of top-line business aircraft because it believes that's the way to stay in front.

Tap on the icon in the digital edition of AW&ST for a video of Fred George flying the G650, and watch his full video pilot report at http://ow.ly/jaDTl