Fully outfitted Gulfstream G600 test aircraft completes first flight

Gulfstream Aerospace has reported that the final aircraft in the Gulfstream G600 flight-test program has flown for the first time. Outfitted with a complete interior, the aircraft serves as a cabin testbed to ensure a superior customer experience. The aircraft is the fifth to join the G600 flight-test program since it began on Dec. 17, 2016. The G600 took off from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 3:07 p.m. During the 2-hour and 55-minute flight, the aircraft reached an elevation of 51,000 feet/15,545 meters and a speed of Mach 0.85. The aircraft landed back in Savannah at 6:02 p.m. local time. Gulfstream will conduct repeated operations of all cabin systems to evaluate comfort, layout, noise, ergonomics, functionality, passenger interaction and appliance reliability. To date, the G600 program’s five test aircraft have accumulated more than 180 flights and 790 flight hours. Gulfstream anticipates receiving Federal Aviation Administration type certification for the all-new G600 in 2018. Customer deliveries are scheduled for later that year.