Gulfstream G500 Business Jet Makes Maiden Flight

The new G500 from Gulfstream has been in development since 2008. On May 18, 2015, it finally logged its first test flight. The G500 took off from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport. Scott Martin and Kevin Claffy piloted the aircraft during its 2 hour and 16 minute flight.

Initially, the aircraft climbed to an altitude of 10,500 feet, the maximum altitude it reached was 15,000 feet. During the test flight, the crew exercised all primary flight control systems.  Also, they evaluated the handling qualities in takeoff and landing configurations. A simulated approach and go-around maneuvered was performed and all systems using eh symmetry flight deck touchscreen controllers were checked.

During testing, the aircraft achieved a maximum air speed of 194 knots. Engineers say that the maximum operating speed for the G500, as well as the G650, is Mach 0.925 or just under the speed of sound. At Mach 0.85, the G500 can fly for 5,000 nm. If you increase the speed to Mach 0.9, the aircraft will fly for 3,800 nm.

More than 34 thousand hours of testing was performed on the G500 in labs on the ground before testing the aircraft in the skies. To deliver the performance and efficiency Gulfstream uses a new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW814GA engines. The PW800 series of engine received its certification in February of 2015. The all-new Symmetry Flight Deck is the most advanced, stylish, comfortable and intuitive flight deck on the market today.

The system which will be available on the G500 and G600 features active control side sticks, integrated touchscreen controllers, next-generation enhanced vision system, and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics. The aircraft is designed to accommodate 19 passengers.  At typical cruise altitudes, cabin altitude will be 3,500 ft to 4,500 ft, maximum cabin altitudes at FL 510 will be 4,850 ft. Completing the test flight demonstrates that development is on schedule and is a milestone for Gulfstream’s world-class research and development teams.

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