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| The Gulfstream G500 takes off on its first flight. Photo: Gulfstream |
[Avionics Today 05-19-2015] Gulfstream Aerospace announced that the all-new G500 successfully completed its first flight. The G500 is part of Gulfstream’s new family of clean-sheet aircraft, the G500 and G600, and the first of the two to begin flight testing.
The G500 took off at 10:39 a.m. May 18 from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport. The aircraft climbed to an initial altitude of 10,500 feet and reached a maximum altitude of 15,000 feet. During the 2-hour-and-16-minute flight, the crew exercised all primary flight control systems; evaluated handling qualities in takeoff and landing configurations; performed a simulated approach and go-around; and checked all systems using the Symmetry flight deck touchscreen controllers. The aircraft achieved a maximum air speed of 194 knots. It landed back in Savannah at 12:55 p.m. local time.