August 30, 2017 – An outfitted G600 that will be used as a cabin testbed has made its maiden flight. The aircraft is the fifth and final aircraft in the G600 flight test program, which began in December 2016.
“The goal of including a production aircraft in our flight-test program is to ensure we deliver the most functional, comfortable and reliable cabin environment for our customers,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Our extensive testing will validate design and performance, so we can provide a cabin that exceeds expectations.”
The aircraft will be used to assess aspects including comfort, layout, noise, ergonomics, functionality, passenger interaction and the reliability of appliances.
“We now have 10 aircraft flying in our concurrent Gulfstream G500 and G600 flight-test programs,” said Burns. “That’s a remarkable achievement for business aviation and a first for the company. It reflects the priority we place on adhering to a long-term strategy, investing in research and development, leveraging our ground-based labs and ensuring consistent and steady progress in aircraft development.”
Gulfstream is targeting 2018 for FAA type certification.
