Gulfstream is giving an Asian double debut to the two new newest members of its business jet family, the G500 and G600.
Parked on the static display, the fully outfitted twinjets have taken time out from a busy flight-test schedule to make their first appearance in the region at the Singapore air show.
"Customers based in the Asia-Pacific region require aircraft that have the range, speed and payload capacity to travel easily between world business centres," says Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream.
"Each aircraft we’re showcasing in Singapore, including the G500 and G600, is at the top of its class."
Gulfstream anticipates gaining US Federal Aviation Administration for both Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800-powered aircraft this year.
Leading the charge is the G500, which is entering the final stage of its flight-test and certification programme. Gulfstream is targeting US validation in the first quarter.
Using a five-aircraft fleet, the Savanah, Georgia-based airframer has so far accumulated over 4,250 flight hours across more than 1,175 sorties.
It says the fourth G500 flight-test vehicle will shortly begin function and reliability testing, the culmination of a near-three-year effort since the twinjet's maiden sortie in May 2015.
Meanwhile, the 600 has recently completed company field-performance testing as its five-strong fleet pushes past the 1,395h mark across more than 360 flights. Certification and service entry are scheduled for later this year.
Next on the test schedule is FAA certification testing for fly-over noise.
Gulfstream announced in October 2017 that both aircraft will offer better performance than originally anticipated.
The G500 now boasts a range of 5,200nm (9,630km) at Mach 0.85 or 4,400nm at M0.90, while the G600 can travel 6,500 nm at M0.85 and 5,100 nm at M0.90. The maximum operating speed for both aircraft is M0.925.
Get all the coverage from the Singapore Airshow here
Source: FlightGlobal.com
