Sun, May 29, 2011
Gulfstream Says Certification Still Anticipated For 2011
Gulfstream has resumed the G650 flight-test program, following a
temporary suspension of flying
after an April 2 accident. The first
flight since the accident took place May 28, with Serial Number
6001 flying for 1 hour and 39 minutes. The crew included senior
experimental test pilots Jake Howard and Tom Horne and Flight Test
Engineer Bill Osborne.
"We have conducted all the necessary reviews to assure ourselves
that we can safely resume the flight-test program at this point,"
said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and
Test, Gulfstream.
"We have worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration
in this process and received the agency's concurrence to resume
flight testing. It is our responsibility to move forward with the
flight-test program, and we will do so in a safe and prudent
manner. The G650 will enter service as the flagship of our product
line, where it will represent the very best in business aviation
technology."
To date, the G650 flight-test program has accomplished 470 flights,
accumulating 1,560 hours towards the estimated 2,200 hours required
for certification. Gulfstream resumed flying with the four
remaining flight-test aircraft. The company still anticipates
certification in 2011, with service entry in 2012, as was
originally planned at the aircraft's public launch in 2008.
Gulfstream continues to cooperate with the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its investigation.
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