The final certification tests included
completing the field performance tests,
evaluating the aircraft’s performance in natural
icing conditions and conducting function and
reliability testing.
“These aircraft are accumulating considerable
flight time and are returning with minimum
aircraft issues,” said Pres Henne, senior vice
president, Programs, Engineering and Test,
Gulfstream. “The maturity of this program gives
us the assurance that the aircraft we deliver to
our customers will be of the highest quality
standards expected from a Gulfstream.”
The aircraft already has set two city-pair speed
records. It flew from Burbank, Calif., to
Savannah in just 3 hours and 26 minutes. The
aircraft accomplished this at speeds between
Mach 0.91 and 0.92, with a brief segment at the
aircraft’s maximum operating Mach number of
0.925. Its average ground speed was more than
550 knots. Its maximum ground speed en route was
more than 660 knots.
The second city-pair record came when the
aircraft made its first trans-Atlantic crossing,
flying from Washington, D.C., to Geneva at
speeds from Mach 0.90 to Mach 0.92. The aircraft
made the journey in 6 hours and 55 minutes.
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