Dubai 2011: Gulfstream's new birds fly nearer to certification

After extensive flight-testing, the G280 has been proven to fly 3,600nm (6,667km) carrying four passengers at Mach 0.80. The increased range means the aircraft can go non-stop from London to New York or Singapore to Dubai, or with one stop from Las Vegas to Tokyo.

Additionally, the aircraft’s balanced field length has been reduced from 4,960ft (1,512m) to 4,750ft (1,448m), an improvement of more than 1,300ft compared to the G200.

Gulfstream launched the aircraft as the G250 in 2008 but renamed it earlier this year as two, eight and zero are more auspicious numbers for some cultures.

The G280 is in the last stages of tests for type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, European Aviation Safety Agency and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel.

The airframer’s new ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650 has also moved several steps closer to its anticipated certification later this year, after completing tests of its fly-by-wire system, engine inlet compatibility and operation in hot weather.

Pres Henne, senior vice president programs, engineering and test said: “On September 15 we had five G650 aircraft in the air at once. The level of flight activity speaks to the maturity of the product at this point in the flight-test programme. We are moving at a prudent pace toward our certification.”

Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, the G650 can travel 7,000nm (12,964km) at Mach 0.85 and has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925. It completed its first flight on November 25 2009 and remains on schedule for entry-into-service in 2012.