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News: Gulfstream G500 Surpasses 100 Flight Hours

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  1. 100+ Flight Hours Accumulated By G500 Test Bed So Far
    As we continue to follow the progress of the test campaign of the Gulfstream G500, Gulfstream themselves highlighted that the new executive jet surpassed a significant figurative milestone of 100 flight hours so far. The news was aptly announced on the 14th of October which is the same day exactly 1 year ago when the company announced the new jet along with the G600 in 2014. As of Oct. 13, 2015, the G500 flight test aircraft had successfully completed more than 45 missions. The longest of those was 5 hours and 22 minutes for a total aircraft flight time of more than 100 hours. In the five months since the aircraft’s first flight, it has reached an altitude of 38,500 feet/11,735 meters and a maximum airspeed of Mach 0.80.
  2. The G500 flight-test and certification program includes four test aircraft. Each is used for a specific series of tests, with the first aircraft (T1) focused on flight performance and flight controls, the second (T2) on flight loads validation, the third (T3) on avionics, and the fourth (T4) on human factors and supporting systems. The program also includes one aircraft with a fully outfitted interior to validate the functionality and compatibility of various cabin systems when used at altitude. Gulfstream has completed initial testing of the aircraft’s handling qualities as well as testing of the high-speed and attitude recovery stall system. The company is in the midst of flutter and envelope expansion testing on T1 and preparing T2 and T3 for flight, with the start of ground and loads testing on T2 and avionics testing on T3.

    “It’s just really exciting to see how well this aircraft is performing,” said Dan Nale, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “This plane has been flying exactly as expected, which highlights our commitment to quality and our attention to detail. It also reflects the investments we’ve made in labs to support the flight-test program. The team recently flew three missions in one day, with hot refueling between flights, for a total flight time of nearly seven hours. Our test pilots have said the aircraft’s handling qualities are exceptional.”Together, the G500 and G600 programs have accomplished more than 39,000 hours of lab testing. 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.

    For more information:


    Gulfstream Aerospace
    500 Gulfstream Road
    Savannah, GA 31407
    www.gulfstream.com

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