Gulfstream's G700 continues to make flight test milestones toward certification and subsequent customer deliveries. The aircraft recently accomplished several certification test points in coordination with the US FAA, all of which confirm the aircraft's exceptional performance characteristics.
The G700 demonstrated excellent stability and control in takeoff, landing and climbing during field performance and flying qualities trials during two months of testing at Cecil airport in Jacksonville, Florida. The aircraft also finished water ingestion testing at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, with touchdown and taxi manoeuvres in standing water at takeoff and landing speeds ranging from 60 to 120 kts. In addition, in flyover noise testing, the G700 has proven sound levels well below FAA regulations.
“The G700 continues to exceed our expectations throughout all facets of the flight test programme,” says Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “At the same time, even more customers around the globe are seeing the real-world performance features and benefits the aircraft provides in terms of efficiency, speed and safety, while experiencing the immense comfort of the cabin firsthand.”
The G700 programme extended its world speed record accomplishments as one of the fully outfitted test aircraft made customer visits throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India. Building on the 25 records the aircraft achieved during its 2022 world tour, the G700 headed into this week's 2023 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE 2023) in Geneva setting a city-pair speed record from Mumbai, India, in eight hours and 34 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90.
Additional new speed records include: Savannah to Tokyo in 13 hours at an average speed of Mach 0.89 on sustainable aviation fuel; Tokyo to Seoul, Republic of Korea, in one hour, 53 minutes, at an average speed of Mach 0.90; Seoul to Manila, Philippines, in three hours, 23 minutes, at an average speed of Mach 0.90; Manila to Singapore, in two hours, 53 minutes, at an average speed of Mach 0.90; and Bangkok to Amalty, Kazakhstan, in six hours, 42 minutes, at an average speed of Mach 0.90.
In total, the G700 flight test aircraft have established more than 40 speed records around the world.
The latest G700 speed records are pending approval by the US National Aeronautic Association and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as world records.
The G700 will be on display at EBACE2023 (space AD_08) alongside the Gulfstream G280, the Gulfstream G500, the Gulfstream G600, the Gulfstream G650ER and the Gulfstream G800.
The G700 has also set a speed record using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), travelling from its headquarters in Savannah, Georgia to Tokyo at an average speed of Mach 0.89. The flight, recorded at 13 hours, marked the G700's first visit to Japan. This record was achieved as the company recently reached a milestone of more than two million nautical miles flown on SAF blends.
“We are innovating for a sustainable future and have been a leader in SAF use over the past decade,” says Burns. “Our latest city pair speed record further showcases the investments we are making in our next-generation fleet, as well as the commitment we've made to the industry to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by 40% over a 15-year span, leading into 2034.”