Gulfstream are a brand name associated with luxury private jets and the very latest is the G650. This is among the very best from Gulfstream with an ultra large cabin and ultra-long range and it has now come several steps closer to its much anticipated certification later this year.

Testing has been undertaken of its fly by wire system, the engine inlet compatibility and operation in hot weather, among numerous other tests. Up to Oct 5th four luxury private jets have been in a flight test program undertaking a total of more than 626 flights over 2,077 hours. On the 15th of Sept all five of the G650 private jets were in the air at the same time with four of these undergoing flight testing and the fifth completing a post-production flight test. This level of activity in the air tells how far the project has matured to this point in the flight test program. Senior vice presidents of Gulfstream said that the brand was moving at a fast pace towards certification which is hoped to be later this year and so far everything is going very well.

Gulfstream have four of the very best production aircraft in flight in preparation for the introduction of final phase manufacturing. This is when the aircraft are outfitted and painted. There are fourteen private jets in the production process. When it comes to flight testing Aircraft number 6005 has completed its ground tests in regards to engine inlet compatibility. This test was undertaken by Gulfstream at the Eglin Air Force Base test facility which is in Florida, USA. The aircraft passed high wind ground testing using Eglins fan array. The private jet has also completed certification ground testing in regards to electromagnetic interference. Following ground testing it then went on to be successful in the completion of in-flight certification testing in both areas, including compatibility for the engine inlet and electromagnetic interference.

The 6004 is the first test aircraft from Gulfstream to have a fully outfitted luxury interior and has undertaken flight tests in regards to functionality of the next generation of G650s flight management system. This system is fundamental to avionics along with completing cabin system tests which were extensive and undertaking interior acoustic noise surveys. Aircraft 6003 was used by the company to complete the Federal Aviation Administration certification tests in regards to hot weather operation. It demonstrated some of its very best capabilities to be able to cool all of the electrical equipment along with avionics under some of the most extreme conditions.

The G650 is one of the very best long range private jets at the fastest speed in its class and is powered by Rolls Royce engines capable of travelling up to 7,000 nautical miles at a speed of Mach 0.85 with a maximum speed of Mach 0.925.

Editorial | Image Courtesy Of Gulfstream