Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s new family of business jets, the Gulfstream G500 and G600, are progressing toward US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification this year, the company announced during Singapore Airshow.

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

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, the high point of a flight-test programme designed to show the reliability of the aircraft’s final engineering designs.

Exceeding requirements

At least 300 hours of flights are mandated by the FAA. They are used to evaluate how the aircraft behaves in conditions representative of normal in-flight operations, including hot, cold and humid environments. Gulfstream has gone beyond this requirement, flying a fully outfitted production G500 for more than 400 hours. The aircraft is on a world tour to demonstrate its design to customers and potential customers.

The G600 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.

Improved performance

Gulfstream announced improved performance from the G500 and G600 in October 2017. The company says it will not affect on the original delivery schedule for 2018, although it involves additional testing to gain FAA certification.

The improvements mean the G500 can fly 5,200 nautical miles (9,630 km) at Mach 0.85 or 4,400 nautical miles (8,149 km) at Mach 0.90. Certification is expected early in 2018. The G600 can travel 6,500 nautical miles (12,038 km) at Mach 0.85 and 5,100 nautical miles (9,445 km) at Mach 0.90. Certification is expected later in the year. The maximum operating speed for both aircraft is Mach 0.925.

Watch our previous interview with Gulfstream now: