The fourth test article in Gulfstream’s G700 development program made its first flight on October 2, adding to the fleet that will advance the model towards certification. The initial flight, which clocked 1 hour, 56 minutes, took the platform to an altitude of 41,000 feet and reached a speed of 0.89 Mach. The airplane’s primary function will be to test avionics and environmental control, mechanical, electrical-power, and hydraulic systems.
The first G700 flew on February 14, 2020, and since then the test aircraft have logged more than 600 flight test hours. Those aircraft have collectively gone beyond the G700′s stated maximum certified operating speed and cruise altitude—up to FL540 and speeds up to 0.99 Mach.
“This is the fourth first flight we’ve accomplished within just eight months, and that is a truly impressive feat,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream. “I have said it before: what sets Gulfstream apart is that we ensure our aircraft are mature upon certification, so our customers know that what we deliver will be safe, reliable and exceed their expectations.”
The next test aircraft will join the fleet soon, and those will include production aircraft fully outfitted with interior elements—such as the new circadian lighting system, award-winning seat designs, an “ultragalley” and a luxury suite. Gulfstream aims for deliveries to begin in 2022. Price starts at $78 million.
