Aerospace

Inside Elon Musk’s new US$78 million Gulfstream G700 and features

Elon Musk’s private jet fleet: $78 million Gulfstream G700

Meet the G700, a $75 million Qatar Airways business jet and its specifications.

Elon Musk is highly renowned for his creativity and investments in technological advancements. But he recently ordered a high-end Gulfstream G700 private jet, a brand-new model. Early 2023 is the delivery window. He recently paid $44 billion for Twitter, which is currently trending for his new private plane.

Up to 19 passengers can board this aircraft, which has the largest cabin in the history of the Gulfstream fleet and has a maximum flying altitude of 51000 feet. The most recent cost of this opulent plane is up to $78 million.

Courtesy: Gulfstream G700

The G700 has a range of up to 7,500 nautical miles or enough distance to travel nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong, according to the Gulfstream website. It boasts two restrooms, two Rolls-Royce engines, large oval windows, and a Wi-Fi system of its own.

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Gulfstream G700 and G800 earn EASA certification(Opens in a new browser tab)

Currently own four private jets, one of which is a Glufsteram G 650 that sparked discussion on social media after being tracked by a Twitter user. Elon Musk asked him to remove the tracking and also made a generous offer of cash. But for him, it didn’t work out. Therefore, it is likely that he is currently updating his fleet and programming codes for flight data records that are hidden from users of the public internet.

ALL-NEW GULFSTREAM G800 MAKES FIRST FLIGHT.(Opens in a new browser tab)

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Elon Musk started using a new program that blocks jet tracking after the man who follows his plane wouldn’t take his Twitter account down(Opens in a new browser tab)

Currently own four private jets, one of which is a Gulfstream G 650 that sparked discussion on social media after being tracked by a Twitter user. Elon Musk asked him to remove the tracking and also made a generous offer of cash. But for him, it didn’t work out. Therefore, it is likely that he is currently updating his fleet and programming codes for flight data records that are hidden from users of the public internet.

Courtesy: Gulfstream

This jet’s operation is both difficult and expensive. The important factors affecting the jet’s costs are its fuel consumption and engine overhaul.

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In addition to its high initial cost, operating the G700 can be expensive. According to Liberty Jet, flying the jet for 400 hours can result in operating costs of about US$3.5 million. According to the aviation website, the most expensive components of running the plane are fuel and engine maintenance.

Gulfstream G700

According to Bloomberg, the new design is the “extended” version of the G650 and attempts to compete in size with the Bombardier 7500. According to Gulfstream, it is eight meters (25 feet) tall and 33 meters (109 feet) long.

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The little but mighty G700 can travel nonstop from Singapore in Asia to San Francisco in the US because to its range of 13,900 km (7,500 nautical miles). According to the aforementioned Gulfstream spec sheet, the G700’s cruise speed is Mach 0.925.

Let us know in the comments what you think of Elon Musk’s new Gulfstream G700.

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.