Fifth G700 Accelerates Gulfstream Test Program

Less than a month after the fourth flight test aircraft in Gulfstream’s new flagship G700 program took to the skies, it was joined by a fifth on Friday. The first flight of T5, which will be used to test avionics and provide flight training simulator data, lasted three hours and eight minutes. Gulfstream Aerospace said the twinjet, registered as N703GD, reached an altitude of 48,000 feet and exceeded the type’s Mach 0.925 Mmo during the flight.

The official unveiling of the G700 occurred last year at NBAA-BACE, and since its first flight back in February, the Savannah, Georgia-based airframer has made significant progress in the test program, including cold weather, flutter, aerodynamic stalls, and envelope expansion. During the series of test flights, the twinjet has reached Mach 0.99 and 54,000 feet, 3,000 feet more than its maximum cruise altitude.

“The G700 flight-test program is progressing exceptionally well,” said company president Mark Burns, adding the program is steadily increasing flights, flight hours, and the completion of numerous company tests. “Every day we come closer to our goal of delivering this revolutionary aircraft to our customers.”

A stretch derivative of the ultra-long-range G650 with the G500/600's Symmetry flight deck, the G700 is expected to enter service in 2022.