SAVANNAH, Ga., March 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gulfstream
Aerospace Corp.'s G500 flight-test program continues to make
significant progress toward the aircraft's anticipated 2017
certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The
five G500 test aircraft, including a fully outfitted production
aircraft, have surpassed 2,600 flying hours and accumulated more
than 600 flights.
"Development testing is complete; company testing is well under
way, and FAA certification has started, putting us right on track
for certification and customer deliveries later this year," said
Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream.
"The maturity, discipline and rigor of our program give us great
confidence as we look forward to our first delivery."
Gulfstream designed the G500 interior after extensive customer
feedback, and that collaboration continues. Recently, members of
Gulfstream's Advanced Technology Customer Advisory Team (ATCAT)
spent an hour flying in the fully outfitted production aircraft,
which serves as the testbed for the cabin.
"The feedback during and after these flights was extremely
positive," Burns said. "Our customers tell us that the added
flexibility of the cabin, the comfort of our newly designed seats
and the enhanced satellite communications will ensure that the G500
customer experience is second to none."
The flight was an unforgettable one for ATCAT member
Peter Zeeb, the director of
maintenance for Oregon-based
Ochoco Administrative Services, which operates three Gulfstream
aircraft.
"Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to be part of the
ATCAT program for the last six years," Zeeb said. "I truly believe
the G500 will be a game-changer for business aviation. The flight
was a 'career' moment for me. I will never forget it!"
The G500 outfitted aircraft has flown more than 180 hours since
its first flight Aug. 5, 2016. The
other four flight-test aircraft have amassed more than 2,450 hours
in the air. The first, which is focused on flight performance and
flight controls, has exceeded 1,000 flight hours. It has also
achieved a maximum speed of Mach 0.995 and a maximum altitude of
53,000 feet/16,154 meters. The G500 can fly 5,000 nautical
miles/9,260 kilometers at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm/7,038 km at Mach
0.90.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned
subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops,
manufactures, markets, services and supports the world's most
technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has
produced more than 2,500 aircraft for customers around the world
since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future,
Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the
Gulfstream G280™, the Gulfstream G550™,
the Gulfstream G500™, the Gulfstream
G600™, the Gulfstream G650™ and the
Gulfstream G650ER™. Gulfstream also offers aircraft
ownership services via Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft
Sales™. We invite you to visit our website for more
information and photos at www.gulfstreamnews.com.
More information about General Dynamics is available at
www.generaldynamics.com.
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SOURCE Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.