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| Gulfstream G500. Photo: Gulfstream |
[Avionics Today 08-11-2015] Gulfstream has announced that its G500 aircraft has completed five test flights since it first took to the skies on May 18. During more than 15 hours of flying, the aircraft achieved a top speed of Mach 0.80 and a maximum altitude of 38,500 feet. The aircraft’s longest flight lasted more than four hours.
“The first five flights … demonstrated that our testing facilities on the ground are having very real benefits in the air, allowing us to identify and address issues before they’re ever seen in flight,” said Dan Nale, senior vice president of programs, engineering and test at Gulfstream.
Gulfstream announced the G500 and G600 family of aircraft on Oct. 14, 2014. The company anticipates certification of the G500 in 2017, with entry into service in 2018. The G600 flight test aircraft has begun initial testing and certification is slated to follow in 2018, with entry into service in 2019.