Page 18 - AAA APRIL - MAY 2017 Online Magazine

FeAtUre BUSINESS JETS

Aviation in partnership with Elbit Systems In excess of 180 hours have been flown by other business jet also received Civil Aviation
Ltd, FalconEye features a fourth-generation the G500 outfitted aircraft since its maiden Administration of China type certificate
multi sensor camera whose six sensors flight in Aug 2016, while the remaining four validation in February. The validation
present top quality images in both the visible flight-test aircraft have 2,450 flight hours. confirms the type certificate issued by the
and infrared spectrums. These images are The G500 test aircraft have also achieved Federal Aviation Administration and is one
combined with three dedicated worldwide a maximum speed of Mach 0.995 and a of the last steps required for an aircraft to
synthetic vision databases that map maximum altitude of 53,000 feet/16,154 be registered in a country. “The G650 and
terrain, obstacles, navigation and airport meters. Development of the new Gulfstream G650ER demonstrate real-world capability
and runway data. FalconEye is offered as an G600 is also progressing smoothly and the that our customers value,” said Scott Neal,
option on the Falcon 8X, the Falcon 2000S/ second flight test aircraft took to the air in senior vice president, Worldwide Sales,
LXS twinjets and the modernized version of February. Gulfstream anticipates receiving Gulfstream. “As business aviation needs in
the Falcon 900LX unveiled at the National type certification for the G600 from the the Asia-Pacific region continue to increase,
Business Aviation Association Convention in Federal Aviation Administration in 2018, with we are pleased to offer our customers in
October 2016. customer deliveries scheduled for later the China the safety, performance and reliability
same year. The first G600 flight-test aircraft that the G650 and G650ER offer.” The G650
Gulfstream made its maiden flight in December 2016. and G650ER The G650 can travel 7,000
Gulfstream announced in March that its “The addition of a second flight-test aircraft nautical miles/12,964 kilometers at Mach
anticipated 2017 certification by the Federal just 10 weeks after the first demonstrates 0.85. The G650ER extends the range of its
Aviation Administration (FAA) for the G500 is the rigor and discipline inherent in our sister ship and can travel 7,500 nm/13,890
on track. Substantial progress has been made development programs and continues km at Mach 0.85.
with certification related tasks by the five a cadence of accomplishments that will
aircraft G500 test fleet which includes a fully steadily move the G600 toward certification
outfitted production aircraft. “Development and entry into service,” said Mark Burns,
testing is complete; company testing is well president, Gulfstream. The first flight test
under way, and FAA certification has started, aircraft has now accumulated more than 150
putting us right on track for certification flight hours, including flying 22 consecutive
and customer deliveries later this year,” sorties without a single maintenance
said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. discrepancy. That aircraft is conducting
According to Gulfstream officials, customer flutter testing and expanding the flight
feedback for the aircraft cabin has been very envelope; the second G600 will soon begin
positive; especially with regards to the added flight-loads testing. Additionally, Gulfstream
cabin flexibility, newly designed seats and recently completed ultimate load testing of Gulfstream’s new G500 business
enhanced satellite communications. The test the G600 structural test article, a key step in jet will obtain certification this
year. The G500 test aircraft has
fleet has now accumulated 2,600 flying hours the certification process. Gulfstream G650 already attained a maximum speed
over more than 600 developmental flights. and G650ER which fly farther faster than any of Mach 0.995
18 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE APRIL / MAY 2017 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA