Article from BTNews 4 SEPTEMBER 2017
G600 on final approach
The final aircraft in the Gulfstream G600 flight-test programme has flown for the first time. Outfitted with a complete interior, the aircraft is serving as a cabin testbed and is the fifth to join the G600 trials programme since it began last December.
The G600 took off from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport for a 2hr 55min flight, during which it reached an elevation of 51,000ft (15,545m) at a speed of Mach 0.85.
Gulfstream Aerospace president Mark Burns said: “The goal of including a production aircraft in our flight-test programme is to ensure we deliver the most functional, comfortable and reliable cabin environment for our customers.
“Our extensive testing will validate design and performance, so we can provide a cabin that exceeds expectations as we conduct repeated operations of all cabin systems to evaluate comfort, layout, noise, ergonomics, functionality and more.”
The G600 programme’s five test aircraft, running alongside a similar operation for the Gulfstream G500, have accumulated more than 180 flights and 790 flight hours, a feat described by Burns as “a remarkable achievement for business aviation”.
The company says it anticipates receiving Federal Aviation Administration type certification for the all-new G600 in 2018, with customer deliveries scheduled for later in the year.
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