Just a few weeks ago, the power players at Gulfstream updated
one and all on the final details leading up to eventual production
of Gulfstream's most ambitious and capable bizjet, yet, the
G650.
Gulfstream officials noted that the aircraft has moved several
steps closer to its anticipated certification later this year after
completing tests of its fly-by-wire system, engine inlet
compatibility and operation in hot weather, among other tests. At
the time of this update, the four aircraft remaining in the
flight-test program had accumulated more than 2,077 hours on more
than 626 flights.
“On Sept. 15, we had five G650 aircraft in the air at
once,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs,
Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “Four of the aircraft were
conducting flight-test activities, while the fifth aircraft
completed a post-production test flight. The level of flight
activity speaks to the maturity of the product at this point in the
flight-test program. We are moving at a prudent pace toward our
certification objective later this year. We are pleased by
everything we see.”
Gulfstream has now flown four production aircraft in preparation
for induction into final-phase manufacturing, where the aircraft
are outfitted and painted. Fourteen aircraft are in the production
process. On the flight-test side, Aircraft Number 6005 completed
certification ground tests for engine inlet compatibility,
conducted for the first time by Gulfstream at the Eglin Air Force
Base test facility in Florida. The aircraft utilized Eglin’s
fan array to accurately provide the high-wind ground testing.
Additionally, the aircraft completed certification ground tests for
electromagnetic interference. Following ground testing, the
aircraft successfully completed in-flight certification testing in
both areas: engine inlet compatibility and electromagnetic
interference.
Aircraft Number 6004, the first Gulfstream test aircraft to have
a fully outfitted interior, has conducted in-flight tests on the
functionality of the G650’s next-generation flight management
system, a fundamental part of the avionics, as well as completing
extensive cabin system tests and interior acoustic noise surveys.
The company completed the Federal Aviation Administration
certification tests for hot-weather operations using Aircraft
Number 6003, thereby demonstrating the capability to properly cool
all of the avionics and electrical equipment under the most extreme
conditions.
Gulfstream announced the G650 program on March 13, 2008. On
Sept. 29, 2009, the aircraft rolled out under its own power in
front of a crowd of more than 7,000 people. It completed its first
flight on Nov. 25, 2009, and remains on schedule for
entry-into-service in 2012.
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