Estimated reading time 6 minutes, 41 seconds.
A collection of news from Gulfstream at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE):
Gulfstream G600 closes in on type certification
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced its all-new Gulfstream G600 is nearing the end of function and reliability (F&R) testing, the final stage of flying required for aircraft type certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Once we finish F&R testing, the only thing left is the FAA’s final paperwork review,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Both certification and entry into service are just around the corner, so we’re excited to be close to delivering this high-performing, technologically advanced aircraft to customers.”
“The rigor and discipline of our new G600 development program is unmatched. Our unique program includes nearly 100,000 hours of flying in our research and development labs environment and more than 3,170 hours of flying in the air, producing reliable aircraft with an exceptional degree of maturity. That was our unique formula for success with the G500 and is for the G600 as well.”
The G600 completed certification tests for flight into known icing in March, with F&R testing beginning in May. During F&R testing, the G600 will demonstrate that the aircraft, including its components and systems, is reliable and functioning properly. The testing covers a range of flight conditions, including hot and cold temperatures; low and high humidity; day and night operations; low and high field operations; and varying weather.
Gulfstream has demonstrated the capabilities and maturity of the G600 since the first aircraft flew Dec. 17, 2016. To date, the five G600 aircraft in the flight-test program have completed more than 845 flights.
The aircraft has already flown 11 city-pair speed records and can fly 5,500 nautical miles/10,186 kilometers at its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90–connecting Hong Kong to Vienna.
Gulfstream G650 family now FAA-certified for steep approach
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the Gulfstream G650 and flagship Gulfstream G650ER have been certified for steep approach by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, allowing the ultralong-range aircraft to access even more airports worldwide.
“With the G650ER’s proven performance, our customers consistently arrive first to their destinations and now have even more flexibility,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “We are committed to providing options for traveling, unhindered, to the most remote destinations. Speed and range combined with steep-approach certification ensure customers save countless hours per year.”
After successfully demonstrating steep-approach operations in 2018, the G650ER can now access challenging airports such as London City, which requires the certification due to its short runway and stringent noise-abatement requirements.
The certification also opens access to Lugano and similar airports located in the mountainous region of Switzerland. Lugano’s short runway, situated in the mouth of a valley, requires an extremely steep approach.
The G650 family comprises more than 355 in-service aircraft and has achieved more than 90 city-pair speed records. The aircraft recently completed the fastest, longest-range business jet flight in history, from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona, beating the previous world record by 44 minutes.
Gulfstream G280 approved for touchdown and rollout using enhanced flight vision system
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the Gulfstream G280 has been approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for touchdown and rollout using the Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS).
With installation of optional EFVS equipment, required training and a letter of authorization from the FAA, G280 pilots can land their aircraft without using natural vision to see the runway. Instead, they can use the EFVS imagery on the Head-Up Display (HUD).
“This approval enables our G280 operators to land in more weather conditions, limiting delays or rerouting,” said Colin Miller, senior vice-president, Innovation, Engineering and Flight, Gulfstream. “The Gulfstream EFVS significantly improves safety by increasing a pilot’s situational awareness at night and during low-visibility conditions.
“The mission capabilities of the G280 continue to grow with this product enhancement, which joins others, such as high-altitude airfield operations, steep-approach certification, most notably operating in and out of London City Airport, and baggage compartment access above 40,000 feet. This is another example of the continuous improvement culture Gulfstream has in place for its products, services and people.”
Gulfstream’s EFVS for the G280, the company’s super-midsize aircraft with a worldwide fleet of more than 165, comprises an enhanced vision system camera and HUD.
Gulfstream displays support for sustainability into EBACE
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the Gulfstream G650ER, Gulfstream G600, Gulfstream G550 and Gulfstream G280 flew to Geneva for the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition using sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF).
“We made SAJF available to our customers earlier this year and are taking as many opportunities as we can to raise the profile of this sustainable resource,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Gulfstream led the industry four years ago when we committed to our own supply of SAJF, and we have been strong supporters of our industry’s efforts to enhance awareness of the fuel and decrease emissions.”
While flying on SAJF, the G280 set a new city-pair record from Farmingdale, New York, to Geneva, making the 3,425-nautical-mile/6,343-kilometer flight in seven hours and six minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.81.
Gulfstream made its first sale of SAJF to a Gulfstream operator earlier this year and maintains a customer-dedicated supply of the fuel at its Long Beach, Calif., facility.
Since 2016, Gulfstream has used SAJF in daily operations for corporate, demonstration, Customer Support and Flight Test fleets and has flown nearly 800,000 nm/1,500,000 km on SAJF, saving more than 870 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Gulfstream’s supply of SAJF is produced by California-based World Energy and distributed by World Fuel Services.
