The Gulfstream G700 programme has progressed, with the second and third test aircraft having taken flight.
“The G700 flight-test programme is running very well, a reflection of the extensive testing we conducted in our ground labs,” said Mark Burns, president at Gulfstream. “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.”
The three flight-test aircraft have flown more than 100 hours since the programme’s first flight on 14 February 2020. The G700 has reached a maximum altitude of 54,000ft (16,459m) and a maximum speed of Mach 0.94.
The current flight-test aircraft are being used for envelope expansion, flutter testing, flying qualities and flight control, as well as for mechanical systems, flights into known icing and environmental control systems, among other tests.
Gulfstream says the G700 features the longest, widest and tallest cabin in the industry with 20 panoramic oval windows and up to five living areas, along with an Ultragalley with more than 10ft of counter space and a crew compartment or passenger lounge; a master suite with shower; and an ultraHD circadian lighting system.
The G700 is powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and can fly at its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90 for 6,400 nautical miles (11,853km) or at its long-range cruise of Mach 0.85 for 7,500 nautical miles (13,890km). The aircraft also features the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck and Predictive Landing Performance System.
