A Gulfstream G700 aircraft that has been fully fitted out so engineers can flight test the cabin experience has made its first flight, joining five other test aircraft already in the certification program.
The first G700 test aircraft made its maiden flight in February 2020. The flight test and certification program is using five test aircraft and a structural test article that has already completed load testing.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Gulfstream has been making steady progress with the G700 and last August announced it had completed more than 100 flights with its test aircraft fleet. The testing and certification program for the G700 is expected to complete in 2022.
The fully-outfitted ultra long range business jet took off last week and flew for 3 hours and 36 minutes, reaching an altitude of 48,000ft and a top speed of Mach 0.935. The test regimen will encompass more than 15,500 test points, validating various aspects of the cabin to ensure passenger comfort and reliability.
The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and can fly at its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90 for 6,400 nautical miles (11,853km) or at its long-range cruise of Mach 0.85 for 7,500 nautical miles (13,890 km).
Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream said, “Flying a fully outfitted aircraft signals significant progress in the G700 flight-test program. The G700 interior provides more space than ever before for Gulfstream’s precision-crafted furnishings, more opportunity for personalization and more technology to optimize passenger health, safety and enjoyment.”
The G700 test aircraft features a galley which provides more than 10ft of counter space, a dedicated crew space, an entertainment and presentation area, a six-place conference and dining area and a state room with full-length wardrobe. Interior elements include award-winning seats, natural stone flooring in the galley and bathrooms, quartz countertops, powered single seats, surround sound and other bespoke features that come standard on the aircraft.
The G700 cabin, the most spacious in the industry, can be configured for up to five living areas with the option to include a passenger lounge in the galley and/or a grand suite with optional shower.
The Symmetry Flight Deck on the G700 features the active-control sidesticks, touch-screens and a data concentration network, as well as the Gulfstream Predictive Landing Performance System and Enhanced Flight Vision System and Synthetic Vision on dual head-up displays.
