Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation’s second Gulfstream G600 joined the flight-test campaign last month, spending 4 hours and 26 minutes in the air on its first flight.

“The addition of a second flight-test aircraft just 10 weeks after the first demonstrates the rigour and discipline inherent in our development programs and continues a cadence of accomplishments that will steadily move the G600 toward certification and entry into service,” said Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream. “Each milestone we clear validates the significant investments we’ve made in research and development, our ground-based labs and our flight-test capabilities, allowing us to deliver on the promises we’ve made to our customers.”

The first G600 flight-test aircraft flew on December 17, and has already achieved more than 150 flight hours, to include flying 22 consecutive sorties without a single maintenance discrepancy. 

That aircraft is conducting flutter testing and expanding the flight envelope; and the second G600 will soon begin flight-loads testing. 

Additionally, Gulfstream recently completed ultimate load testing of the G600 structural test article, a key step in the certification process.

Gulfstream anticipates receiving type certification for the G600 from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2018, with customer deliveries scheduled for later the same year.

A wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics of the US, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the Gulfstream G280, the G550, the G500, the G600, the G650 and the G650ER.