Two More Aircraft Enter The Flight Testing Schedule

Gulfstream has deployed their second and third Gulfstream G700 test aircraft, further advancing toward certification and customer deliveries.

The second G700 flight-test aircraft had its first voyage on March 20, departing Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) and flying for 2 hours and 58 minutes. The aircraft reached an altitude of 45,000 feet and a speed of Mach 0.85. Also departing from SAV, the third flight-test aircraft flew for the first time this past week, soaring over Savannah for 3 hours and 2 minutes. It also reached an altitude of 45,000 ft and a speed of Mach 0.85.

“The G700 flight-test program is running very well, a reflection of the extensive testing we conducted in our ground labs,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “All three flight-test aircraft are performing exactly as we expected them to, and that helps us ensure a safe and thorough certification of the highest performing, most spacious and technologically advanced aircraft in business aviation.”

The three flight-test aircraft have flown more than 100 hours since the program’s first flight on Feb. 14. The G700 has reached a maximum altitude of 54,000 ft and a maximum speed of Mach 0.94.

The current flight-test aircraft are being used for envelope expansion, flutter testing, flying qualities and flight control, as well as mechanical systems, flights into known icing and environmental control systems, among other tests.

The G700 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/11,853 kilometers or at its long-range cruise of Mach 0.85 for 7,500 nm. The G700 also includes the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck with electronically linked active control sidesticks.     

FMI: www.gulfstream.com, www.generaldynamics.com