The fourth prototype of the Gulfstream G700 executive jet made its maiden flight on October 03rd, according to a publication by the manufacturer.
Already on the first flight, the test unit reached an altitude of 41000 feet and a speed of Mach 0,89, close to the operational limits of the G700. In all, the flight lasted almost two hours.
The new plane will be incorporated into the test fleet to carry out avionics calibration procedures, the aircraft's environmental control systems, mechanics, electrical energy and hydraulics.
“This is the fourth first flight we have completed in just eight months, and that is a truly impressive feat.”, said company president Mark Burns, citing that the first flight of a G700 prototype took place in February 2020.
“I've said it before: what sets Gulfstream apart is that we ensure our aircraft are mature after certification, so our customers know that what we deliver will be safe, reliable and exceed their expectations.”
The Gulfstream G700
O G700 has a capacity of 19 engers and uses Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, and with specifications that align with the Bombardier Global 7500.
The first aircraft should be delivered in 2022, and promises to have excellent performance, with a cruising speed of Mach 0.9 and a range of 13900 km.
Gulfstream also points out that it is investing in an even larger cabin compared to the competitor's jet, the Global 7500. The aircraft, however, will be compatible with the type classification and technologies of the G500 and G600, planes recently launched by Gulfstream.
The range of the G700 will match that of the G650ER. But the G700 will be bigger, at nearly 33,5 m long, about 3 meters longer than the G650ER and about 0,3 meters shorter than the Global 7500, in line with Gulfstream and Bombardier specifications.
The G700 cabin, excluding the baggage compartment, will be 17,4m long and 2,5m wide, while the Global 7500 cabin is 16,6m long and 2,4m wide. The cabin of the G700 will be 1,9 m high – a fraction more than the cabin of the 7500, according to the manufacturers' specifications.
The G700 will have five cabin areas, or four plus a crew rest area.
The cabin altitude will be 4850 feet at the maximum cruising altitude of 51000 feet, which is almost equivalent to the altitude of some cities, such as Brasilia, and the G700 will have a maximum takeoff weight of 48800 kg.
The G700's Pearl 700 turbofans are designed specifically for the aircraft and share the common core of the Pearl engine family, Gulfstream said. Up to 3% lower fuel consumption is expected compared to the same engine in the G650ER.
It will be able to take off from a runway of 1905 meters at maximum takeoff weight, and land at 762 meters at typical landing weight.
Highlights in avionics for Honeywell's Primus Epic system, integrated with touch screens, a Full-Fly-By-Wire system and sidesticks with command . Automation allows the plane to be ready to start flying, and with engines running, in just 10 minutes of work by a pilot.
