Aviation News Item: 08099

3rd May 2010

Source: evaint.com

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced today that the wing, empennage and engines have been installed on the third large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250 test aircraft and testing of the aircraft's systems is under way. Known as serial number (S/N) 2003, the aircraft will be used to test systems functionality and reliability.

The G250 flight-test and certification program consists of three aircraft and an estimated 1,300 hours of flight time. The first G250 test aircraft, S/N 2001, joined the flight-test program on Dec. 11, 2009, and is being used to examine in-flight performance and handling. S/N 2002, which focuses on avionics testing, first flew on March 24. Together, the two aircraft have accumulated nearly 80 hours in flight, with S/N 2001 already achieving the maximum certified speed and altitude of Mach 0.85 and 45,000 feet (13,716 m).

"The G250 handles like a large-cabin Gulfstream aircraft," said John O'Meara, chief test pilot. "It's a good-handling airplane. We completed the aerodynamic stall test program, and the resultant performance was even better than we predicted. It's very similar to a Gulfstream V in terms of its handling characteristics."

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