Gulfstream Aerospace announced on Friday, June 28, 2019, it received not only FAA type certification but also production certification for the G600. The approval caps nearly 100,000 hours of simulated flight in total during the ground testing program, and more than 3,200 hours of flight testing by the company.
Years prior to the first flight of the series, Gulfstream established four labs dedicated to the G500 and G600 programs. First, the Conceptual Advanced Simulation Environment was created to develop the series’ fly-by-wire control laws and to perform human factors evaluations. A systems integration bench enabled the combination and testing of avionics and aircraft systems, and a full flight deck test facility hosted testing for not only major systems and software, but also an outfitted cabin to test the Cabin Management System, galley, and other interior elements. The fourth area featured the familiar iron bird, a “spatially correct, dimensionally accurate structure, including the flight deck, used to rigorously evaluate the fly-by-wire flight controls, hydraulics, electrical systems and landing gear,” according to a company spokesperson.
The certification of the G600 comes quickly on the heels of approval of its G500 model, which gained certification in June 2018. Both are the first to feature BAE Systems’ active control sidesticks. The G600 builds on the series with a projected 6,500-nm range at a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85 and with eight passengers on board. A maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925 has allowed it to achieve several speed records for eleven city pairs over the course of its test program.
The cockpit includes the proprietary Symmetry Flight Deck, which includes the latest generation of Gulfstream’s enhanced vision system, improving visibility in low-light situations. A maximum takeoff weight of 94,000 lbs and passenger configurations up to 19 seats in three living spaces—plus an area for crew rest—make this an efficient corporate aircraft for long-haul operations.
Deliveries of the $58 million G600 to customers remain on track for later in 2019.
