Gulfstream’s G500 business jet is entering the final stage of its flight test and certification program, while the G600 has recently completed company field performance testing.
Both aircraft are expected to receive type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later this year. Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream, said, ‘”Both programs remain on track and are methodically moving toward their respective type certifications.
“The five aircraft in each program continue to exceed our expectations. Given the recent announcement about our range increases, this is pretty remarkable, even for Gulfstream.”
To date, the five G500 aircraft have accumulated more than 4,250 flight hours over more than 1,175 flights. The fourth G500 to enter the flight test program will soon begin function and reliability testing to demonstrate the overall reliability of the aircraft’s final engineering designs. The FAA-mandated flights total 300 hours and will evaluate how the aircraft behaves during flights in hot, cold and humid environments.
The G600, meanwhile, has been flown for more 1,395 hours over the course of 360 flights. Next on the aircraft’s schedule is FAA certification testing for flyover noise, said Gulfstream.
First deliveries of the G500 and G600 are both are set for before the end of the year.
February 6, 2018
