Large-Cabin, Mid-Range Business Jet Performs "Flawlessly"
During Three-Hour Flight
Gulfstream's news business jet, the large-cabin, mid-range
Gulfstream G250, has successfully completed its first flight,
Gulfstream announced Friday. Gulfstream designed and built the
super mid-size business jet in collaboration with Israel Aerospace
Industries (IAI) in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Photo Courtesy Gulfstream
Flown by IAI chief test pilot Ronen Shapira, the G250 took off
from Ben Gurion International Airport today at 0816 local time.
During 3 hour, 21 minute flight the pilots tested the jet’s
flight-handling qualities and characteristics, and performed
initial checks of several aircraft systems.
The aircraft was flown to 32,000 feet and achieved a maximum
speed of 253 knots. Pilot Shapira commented that the flight was
“extremely smooth with no issues.” IAI’s Flight
Telemetry System enabled IAI and Gulfstream flight-test engineers
on the ground to monitor the G250 aircraft systems in real time
during the flight, as well as record the data from the first flight
test point.
“The G250 performed extremely well, just as we
expected,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs,
Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “We’re looking
forward to 2011 when we’ll begin delivering this aircraft to
the customers who had tremendous input in its design.”
Itzhak Nissan, president and CEO, IAI, said, “The
successful first flight of the G250 large-cabin, mid-range jet
represents the achievements of Gulfstream and IAI as the designers,
integrators and manufacturers of this advanced business jet. IAI
continues to benefit from its world-leading,
strategic partnership with Gulfstream.” The G250 rolled out
of the IAI manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv under its own power
on October 6, 2009. It remains on schedule for type certification
by 2011, followed by entry-into-service the same year.
Powered by twin Honeywell HTF7250G engines, the business jet is
capable of traveling 3,400 nautical miles at Mach 0.80 and has a
maximum operating speed of Mach 0.85. With an initial cruise
altitude of 41,000 feet, the G250 can climb to a maximum altitude
of 45,000 feet. The G250 cockpit features the new PlaneView 250TM
system based on Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics.
It features an all-new, advanced transonic wing design that has
been optimized for high-speed cruise and improved takeoff
performance. At maximum takeoff weight, the G250 can depart from a
5,000-foot runway. Its 3,400-nautical-mile range means the G250 can
fly nonstop from New York to London or from London to Dubai.
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