Gulfstream’s new G500 has resumed flight tests after a temporary, planned suspension to prepare for flutter testing. The aircraft, which rolled out not quite a year ago and flew in May, has now completed more than 40 hours of flight testing, including a flight that took off last Wednesday while reporters were on site at Gulfstream’s factory in Savannah, Ga.
The aircraft had completed an initial five flights before under going a “pretty significant” modification involving installation of flutter vanes on the winglets and tail and a recovery chute for the initial flutter testing. In addition to the initial flutter testing, Gulfstream has tested handling qualities and expanded the envelope.
Gulfstream is expecting the next two flight-test G500s to join the program shortly. Both have been handed over to the flight-test center for final preparations before flight.
Meanwhile, Gulfstream’s new G500 and G600 production facility is continuing to ramp up with the fourth flight-test G500 nearly complete and the fifth well under way. The flight-test program will encompass five aircraft, with the last being a fully outfitted production aircraft. In addition, fatigue-test aircraft are in assembly, with various panels and other components in production for both the G500 and G600. The G600 remains on pace for market entry a year after the G500, but Gulfstream has not yet detailed when it will roll out or fly.