Gulfstream has begun FAA certification field performance testing on the G600, the second of its two new large-cabin jets.
“We continue to make steady progress toward certifying the all-new G600 later this year and beginning customer deliveries in 2019,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream.
“With the exceptional performance we’re seeing from the five flight test aircraft in this program, I am highly confident our clients will be impressed with the aircraft we deliver. Its high-speed range, superior comfort and unmatched efficiency have already exceeded our expectations.
“Even at this stage in its development, the G600 is garnering attention, with its award-winning interior and seats, increased range capability and performance at high speed. The recent type certification for the G500 is added motivation and inspiration for us to bring the G600 across the finish line and into the hands of our customers.”
The G500 earned FAA type certification and its production certificate on July 20, 2018. Customer deliveries will begin later in 2018.
The longer-range G600 recently completed FAA certification for ice-shapes and stall-speeds testing. Since the first flight, the five aircraft in the G600 flight test program have accumulated more than 2,290 flight hours over more than 600 flights.
The G600, which made its first flight on December 17, 2016, can fly 6,500 nautical miles (12,038km) at Mach 0.85 and 5,100 nautical miles (9,445km) at Mach 0.90. The maximum operating speed for the aircraft is Mach 0.925. The new interior earned top honors in Private Jet Design at the 2018 International Yacht & Aviation Awards.
Click here to read more about the G500 and G600 testing programs in the April 2018 issue of Business Jet Interiors International.