General Aviation Gulfstream G700 successfully performs maiden flight

Gulfstream has announced, that its state-of-the-art G700 business jet has performed its first flight. The aircraft took off from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and was in the air for 2 hours and 32 minutes. This first flight was made on a 30/70 blend of sustainable aviation fuel.

The successful first flight also represents the start of the rigorous flight-test program that the aircraft will now undergo. Currently, Gulfstream has a flight-test aircraft fleet of five airframes. A structural test article has already completed load testing.

Mark Burns president at Gulfstream said: “The G700’s first flight is a momentous occasion and the next step forward in Gulfstream’s vision for the future, a vision that has been guided by the strategic leadership of our parent company, General Dynamics, and the innovation of the Gulfstream team [...] As the market leader, Gulfstream is moving the entire business-jet industry forward with advanced safety features, tomorrow’s technology and a cabin purposefully designed to exceed our customers’ expectations for comfort.”

Back in October last year, Gulfstream announced the G700 to be the new flagship aircraft in the manufacturer´s portfolio. The aircraft features the largest cabin in the industry and has 20 windows. A high-definition lightning and speaker system, as well was a master suite with a shower can be configurated. The cabin with new interior includes an “ultragalley” with more than 10 feet of counter space.

“The G700 brings the best in the business together – the innovation of the G500 and G600 Symmetry Flight Deck and the legendary performance of the G650ER – and we are excited to deliver this exceptional aircraft to our customers,” added Burns.

Gulfstream´s G700 is being powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines. At high speeds, the aircraft is capable of flying for 6,400 nautical miles (11,853 kilometres) at Mach 0.90. At long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85, the aircraft can fly for 7,500 nautical miles (13,890 kilometres).

As wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports modern business jets.  Since 1958, Gulfstream has delivered more than 2,800 aircraft to customers around the world.