Gulfstream Aerospace updated the development status of its all-new business jet family, the Gulfstream G500 and G600.
Gulfstream Aerospace updated the development status of its all-new business jet family, the Gulfstream G500 and G600.
The first G500 prototype has completed its first flight on last Monday. Gulfstream has completed assembly of two of the five G500 flight test aircraft.
Gulfstream introduced the G500 and G600 on Oct. 14, 2014, at one of its new manufacturing facilities in Savannah. During the event, the first G500 rolled out under its own power.
Since then, Gulfstream has inducted two G500 aircraft into the flight-test center in preparation for officially launching the flight-test program later this quarter. Additionally, ground vibration and structural mode interaction testing are complete; the structural test article achieved limit load; and all suppliers have validated the aircraft safety of flight requirements, clearing the aircraft for flight.
Gulfstream has also started manufacturing the first G600 aircraft, which will be used as part of the four-aircraft flight-test program. Wind-tunnel testing for both aircraft is complete, and more than 34,000 hours of lab testing have been logged.
Additionally, the company recently started testing in the G600 integration test facility (ITF) and initiated construction of the G600 iron bird, which will allow full evaluation of the aircraft’s systems and software.
Gulfstream anticipates certification of the G500 in 2017, with entry into service in 2018. The G600 certification is slated to follow in 2018 with entry into service in 2019.
Gulfstream suppliers have been equally busy. In February, Pratt & Whitney Canada received certification of the aircraft’s PW814GA and PW815GA engines by Transport Canada in February.
FlightSafety International, Gulfstream’s factory-authorized training provider, has established a full-flight simulator for the G500 at its Learning Center in Savannah. Gulfstream engineering and flight-test personnel have begun using the simulator to supplement work being done in Gulfstream’s G500 ITF and the Conceptual Advanced Simulation Environment to prepare for the first flight of the G500.
