Gulfstream said today that its first super mid-size business jet, the G150, was certificated yesterday by both the Israeli civil aviation administration and the US Federal Aviation Administration at least 10 weeks earlier than anticipated. Extensive flight testing confirmed many of the G150’s performance characteristics were better than expected.
Gulfstream’s Pres Henne, senior vice-president, programs, engineering and test, attributes the success of the flight-test program to the “outstanding collaboration” between Gulfstream and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI); the availability of two test aircraft and the “actual G150, which performed significantly better than we had imagined during its original development”.
The G150’s maximum gross weight has increased by 100lb (45kg), meaning it has an extra 50lb of fuel capacity and 50lb of payload. Despite the additional payload, the existing G150 fuel system needed no modifications. Powered by two Honeywell TFE731-40ARs, the aircraft can reach maximum operating speeds of up to Mach 0.85 at up to 45,000ft (13,700m) making it the fastest business jet in its class.
Source: Flight Daily News
