G500 Certified; Gulfream Preps Deliveries

Gulfstream Aerospace obtained both U.S. Federal Aviatio Administration type and production certification for its first all-new aircraft in a half-dozen years and most advanced to date, the G500, the Savannah, Georgia manufacturer announced recently.

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Deliveries of the aircraft are anticipated to begin later this year, the culmination of a development program that spanned “tens of thousands of lab hours” and 5,000 flight hours amassed with five  flight-test aircraft, according to Gulfstream president Mark Burns.

The flight-test program confirmed more improved performance than originally targeted. This includes a takeoff distance of 5,200 feet, 200 feet less than originally projected. Range, originally targeted for 5,000 nautical miles at long-range cruise of Mach 0.85, was confirmed at 5,200 nautical miles.  At high–speed cruise of Mach 0.90, the G500 will reach 4,400 nautical miles, a 600-nautical-mile improvement over original targets.

The aircraft is the first purpose-built business jet to bring to market BAE's active control sidesticks, and the Honeywell-powered Symmetry Flight Deck is equipped with 10 touchscreens as well as enhanced vision system, synthetic vision on the primary flight display, and head-up display (HUD II). “The G500 is the first aircraft certified to use enhanced vision to land and the first business aircraft certified to Stage 5 noise standards,” the manufacturer noted.

The wide-cabin aircraft, which is 7 feet, 11 inches across, also is designed for low cabin sound levels and altitudes and 100 percent fresh air and has 14 panoramic windows.

The 15,144-pound-thrust PW814GA engines powering the G500 received certification in February 2014.

Along the way to certification, the aircraft accumulated 20 city-pair records, most at speeds of Mach 0.90.

The aircraft was unveiled in fall of 2014, rolling out then on its own power. Certification was originally targeted for 2017, but a supplier issue helped push back that time frame.