The all-new G500 and G600 programmes remain on track and are moving toward their respective type certifications

Gulfstream Aerospace’s all-new family of business jets, the Gulfstream G500 and G600, continue to make solid progress toward anticipated US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification this year.

The G500 is entering the final stage of its flight test and certification programme, while the G600 recently completed company field performance testing.

Meanwhile, the G500 was set to make its debut at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo (February 26-28). The static display was also to include the company’s flagship Gulfstream G650ER.

“In addition to being well-suited for our customers’ long-range and large-cabin needs, the G500 and G650ER are simply the best in their class,” said Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream. “Gulfstream’s presence at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo will be the perfect chance for business-jet customers in the region to tour the new G500 and record-breaking G650ER and experience the Gulfstream difference first-hand.”

About 180 Gulfstream aircraft are based in the Middle East and Africa.

The highly customisable G500 on display will feature a natural and elegant interior, including three living areas to accommodate 13 passengers.

Earlier, G500 and G600 made their Asia debut at the Singapore Airshow.

“Both programmes remain on track and are methodically moving toward their respective type certifications,” said Burns. “The five aircraft in each programme continue to exceed our expectations. Given the recent announcement about our range increases, this is pretty remarkable, even for Gulfstream.”

To date, the five G500 aircraft have accumulated more than 4,250 flight hours over more than 1,175 flights. The fourth G500 to enter the flight-test programme is poised to begin function and reliability testing, which marks the capstone of a flight-test programme and serves to demonstrate the overall reliability of the aircraft’s final engineering designs.

The G600, meanwhile, has amassed more than 1,395 flight hours during more than 360 flights. Next on the aircraft’s schedule is FAA certification testing for flyover noise.

Gulfstream announced performance enhancements for the G500 and G600 in October 2017. The G500 can fly 5,200 nautical miles/9,630 km at Mach 0.85 or 4,400 nm/8,149 km at Mach 0.90, while the G600 can travel 6,500 nm/12,038 km at Mach 0.85 and 5,100 nm/9,445 km at Mach 0.90. The maximum operating speed for both aircraft is Mach 0.925.

Even with these performance enhancements, the G500 customer delivery schedule remains the same, with deliveries set for 2018, as originally promised. The G500 certification includes additional testing required for the enhanced performance and is anticipated in early 2018. The G600’s anticipated certification and service entry are slated for 2018, the company says.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft.