Pending confirmation, two G700 production test aircraft break speed records during world tour

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced Thursday that their all-new Gulfstream G700 achieved 25-speed records on its recently completed world tour. The company flew two fully outfitted G700 production test aircraft to more than 20 countries across six continents to demonstrate the aircraft’s performance capabilities and the flexibility and comfort of the most spacious cabin in the industry.

Notable record runs achieved by the G700 include:

• Savannah to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 12 hours, and 36 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90 to begin the international portion of the tour.

• Istanbul, Turkey, to Van Don International Airport in Vietnam, in 9 hours, and 2 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90.

• Riyadh to Melbourne, Australia, in 13 hours, 39 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.87.

• Christchurch, New Zealand, to Los Angeles in 12 hours, and 13 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.87.

In total, the two G700 outfitted aircraft traveled 53,882 nautical miles over more than 180 hours of flying. The world tour speed records are pending approval by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as world records.

The two G700 production test aircraft interiors showcase the industry’s only ultra galley, with more than 10 feet of counter space; a grand suite with a fixed bed, and a bright spacious lavatory with full vanity and shower.

FBI Gulfstream jet up for sale

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) intends to sell a military C-37A, acquired and converted by the FBI in 2001 to an N registered aircraft, according to contract documents released Friday.

The sale is being managed by the FBI Special Flight Operations Unit (SFOU). “SFOU is seeking information as to typical fees schedule for similar sales, market trends and conditions, respondees’ experience with similar sales activities and marketing plan to ensure highest return on the sale of this asset,” the agency said in a Request For Information (RFI) document.

The FBI is conduct market research for information and planning purposes to determine the existing market capability of businesses to provide broker services for the sale.

Firms that wish to respond to the RFI should contact the FBI by Feb. 18.

New Gulfstream G500 joins business aviation convention

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.'s all-new Gulfstream G500 made its first cross-country trip for the 2015 National Business Aviation Association's Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015). The flight test aircraft arrived at Henderson Executive Airport on Friday to join the G650ER, G550, G450, G280 and G150 in Gulfstream's static display.

The G500 flew from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport into 75-knot headwinds and arrived at Henderson Executive 4 hours and 36 minutes later, accomplishing the 1,630-nautical-mile flight at an average speed of Mach 0.85 and altitude of 45,000 feet. Gulfstream test pilots Scott Martin and Scott Evans were at the controls, with Flight Test engineers Paul Ludlow and Nathaniel Rutland providing on-board support.

The G500 flew to Las Vegas with a significant amount of flight testing equipment on board:

• a noseboom, which provides air data, angle-of-attack and angle-of-sideslip information to the pilots and engineers.
• Attitude Recovery System (ARS) safety equipment for high-speed flutter testing and low-speed stall testing.
• data-monitoring system that provides real-time data for engineers on board and in the telemetry room.
• a video recording system that captures touchscreen commands and flight-deck footage as well as external footage of the landing gear, trailing cone and ARS.
• flutter vanes on the wing and horizontal tips.

The first G500 test aircraft, T1, is focused on flight performance and controls and has achieved a number of flight-test milestones since its first flight on May 18. The aircraft has flown more than 160 hours, completed 44 flights and reached an altitude exceeding 50,000 ft. Its longest flight was 5 hours and 22 minutes. T1 has reached a top speed of Mach 0.995. Flutter and envelope expansion testing are in progress, and initial testing of the aircraft's handling qualities and the high-speed and recovery stall system have also taken place.

In total, the G500 flight-test program consists of five aircraft, including a fully outfitted production aircraft that allows the company to test all the interior elements and complete integration of the aircraft systems with the passenger experience. T2 and T3 have been delivered to the Flight Test facility and are preparing for first flight.

Gulfstream anticipates certification of the G500 in 2017, with entry into service in 2018. Lab testing for the G600 is ongoing in Gulfstream's integration test facility, with certification slated for 2018 and entry into service in 2019.

Video: NASA testing shape-changing flaps on Gulfstream jet

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's Gulfstream III aerodynamics research test bed aircraft (tail number N804NA) is undergoing modification to support the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge project, a joint effort between NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Both of the G-III's conventional aluminum wing flaps are being replaced with shape-changing composite flaps designed by FlexSys, Inc, that form continuous bendable surfaces.

This video shows maneuvers flown to provide baseline data for comparison with data recorded after the flexible flaps are installed, a sample of a flexible flap being lab tested in a lab and the G-III in NASA Dryden's Flight Loads Laboratory undergoing baseline structural loads testing.

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