Second & Third Gulfstream G700 Flight Test Aircraft Complete Successful First Flights

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Three of the five aircraft that make up the flight test program for Gulfstream’s upcoming G700 business jet have now completed their initial tests. The second and third test aircraft completed their initial flights in late March and early May, respectively. (Photo courtesy of Gulfstream.)

The second and third aircraft in Gulfstream’s five-jet test fleet for the upcoming G700 business jet recently completed their first flights, helping the 19-passenger jet introduced in October move closer to expected certification and delivery in 2022. The G700 completed its maiden flight in February, kicking off what Gulfstream described as a rigorous flight test program for the G700, which the aerospace company calls the “most spacious jet in the industry with the longest range at the fastest speeds.”

100 Hours & Counting

Initial flights of the second and third G700 flight-test aircraft happened at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport near Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. The second flight occurred March 20 and saw the G700 reach a 45,000-foot (13,716-meter) altitude and a speed of Mach 0.85. The third test aircraft flew in early May, and reached the same altitude and speed but stayed airborne slightly longer, for a total of 3 hours and 2 minutes. Combined, the first three test aircraft have surpassed 100 hours of flight time since February, and reached a top altitude of 54,000 ft. (16,459 m) and a speed of Mach 0.94.

Gulfstream is using the aircraft to complete envelope expansion, flutter testing, flying qualities and flight control testing, plus mechanical systems and flights into known icing and environmental control systems. Mark Burns, Gulfstream president, says “all three flight test aircraft are performing exactly as we expected them to, and that helps us ensure a safe and thorough certification of the highest performing, most spacious, and technologically advanced aircraft in business aviation.”

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Gulfstream says the G700’s cabin is the industry’s “longest, widest, and tallest cabin.” Besides 20 Gulfstream panoramic oval windows, the cabin offers up to five living areas, an ultra-galley with more than 10 ft (over 3 m) of counter space and a crew compartment or passenger lounge, a master suite with shower, and more. The jet’s two Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines will support a rated top cruise speed of Mach 0.90 for 6,400 nautical miles (11,853 km) or a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85 for 7,500 nm (13,890 km).

You’ll find a big selection of new and used Gulfstream business jets for sale every day on Controller.com, including G550s, G450s, and G200s.

Source: Gulfstream