Gulfstream G500 Flight-test Campaign Advances

Gulfstream Aerospace has begun preparing the next two G500s for flight; the first G500 has completed a handful of test flights. Gulfstream, which announced its new G500 and G600 family in October, flew the initial G500 May 18, and the aircraft since has accumulated more than 15 hours in five flights, reached a speed of Mach 0.80 and flew to 38,500 feet. The longest flight lasted more than four hours, the Savannah, Ga., manufacturer reported.

The first G500 has undergone planned modifications in recent weeks to prepare for the next rounds of flights. Along with readying the next two models for flight, Gulfstream has begun production of a fourth flight-test G500.

“The first five flights exceeded our expectations,” said Dan Nale, senior v-p, programs, engineering and test for Gulfstream. “They demonstrated that our testing facilities on the ground are having very real benefits in the air, allowing us to identify and address issues before they’re ever seen in flight.”

Gulfstream has had an extensive ground program that has included more than 36,000 hours of lab testing for both the G500 and G600. In addition to the G500 test facilities, the G600 integrated test facility and “Iron Bird” are both operational. Gulfstream has begun initial production work on the first G600. 

Slated for certification in 2017, the G500 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW814GA, providing a 5,000 nm range at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm range at Mach 0.90. Certification of the G600 is anticipated to follow in 2018. Powered by the PW815GA engine, the G600 will be capable of flying 6,200 nm at Mach 0.85 and 4,800 nm at Mach 0.90. Both models will have a top speed of Mach 0.925 and are equipped with the Gulfstream Symmetry flight deck with active control sidesticks.