Gulfstream

Gulfstream Aerospace’s first Gulfstream G500 test aircraft, T1, has completed flutter testing.

The second test article, T2, finished climatic chamber testing at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, US.

Under the aircraft’s flight test programme, T1 carried out flutter tests in more than 50 flights.

T1 recorded more than 320 flight hours since its first flight on 18 May 2015, its longest flight duration being five hours. It has reached a maximum speed of Mach 0.999 and a maximum altitude of 53,000ft.

The aircraft is undergoing additional test activities including envelope expansion, air data system testing, aero performance, brakes and field performance, handling qualities and flight controls.

Gulfstream’s second and third G500 aircraft (T2 and T3) joined the flight test programme in November after completing their initial flights. Under climate chamber testing, T2 endured hot temperatures of 55°C for three days and -40°C of cold temperatures for two days.

"Under the aircraft’s flight test programme, T1 carried out flutter tests in more than 50 flights."

Gulfstream programmes engineering and test senior vice-president Dan Nale said:"The successful completion of climatic chamber testing assures us that the aircraft will be prepared to meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rigorous certification process and extreme real-world conditions our customers will experience when they fly the G500."

Gulfstream’s third G500 flight test aircraft, T3, is the primary test bed for the new symmetry flight deck, which will innovate cockpit design, integration, functionality, ergonomics and aesthetics.

The aircraft will also calculate ice-protection system performance, landing gear and nose wheel steering operation, environmental control system performance, as well as the cabin pressure control system and community noise testing.

Gulfstream plans to include two more aircraft, T4 and P1, in the G500 flight-test programme.

Part of Gulfstream’s new clean-sheet family aircraft, the G500 expects to obtain type certification from the FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017.

The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2018. G600, also a part of clean-sheet family, will enter service in 2019.

Image: First Gulfstream G500 test aircraft, T1, has completed flutter testing. Photo: courtesy of Gulfstream Aerospace.