Following the officially launched flight test programme for the industry’s longest-range aircraft, the new flagship Gulfstream G800 made its maiden flight. The aircraft took off from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 9:00 a.m. and landed two hours later. In doing so, the aircraft flew using a blend of environmentally friendly aviation fuel.
According to Mark L Burns, president of Gulfstream, “Gulfstream’s close partnership with our customers has allowed us to continually build upon our successes and develop aircraft that exceed their expectations”. The G800 offers customers the longest range in the Gulfstream fleet with 8,000 nautical miles/14,816 km at Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nautical miles/12,964 km at Mach 0.90. Powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines with increased thrust and featuring Gulfstream-developed winglets and winglets already seen on the G700, the new aircraft also boasts improved fuel efficiency. It can accommodate up to 19 passengers and offers up to four passenger or three crew compartment living areas.
The G800 features the Gulfstream Symmetry cockpit with electronically linked active side flight controls (an industry first!) and the most extensive use of touch screen technology with ten displays.
Additional health and safety enhancements include 100 percent fresh, recirculated and unfiltered air; the lowest cabin height in its class; a plasma ionisation air purification system that neutralises 99.9 percent of bacteria, spores and odours; and the award-winning predictive landing system (PLPS), which provides early warning of potential runway deviations to pilots. The two G800 projection displays use Gulfstream’s new Combined Vision System (CVS), which combines the Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) and Synthetic Vision System (SVS) in a single image, increasing pilot situational awareness and providing access to more airports around the world.
Photo: gulfstream.com
