Second Gulfstream G800 takes first flight

On July 17, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. (Savannah, Ga., U.S.) announced the first flight of its second Gulfstream G800 flight test aircraft, a next-gen business jet that features GKN Aerospace thermoplastic composites. The aircraft flew out of Gulfstream’s Savannah headquarters on a 30/70 blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and marks a new phase in the G800’s path to certification and customer deliveries.

The G800 took off on Saturday, July 15, at 9:27 a.m., flew for 3 hours and 26 minutes and reached a top speed of Mach 0.935. 

“Gulfstream’s flight test team continues to make advanced strides forward for our company,” Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream, says. “The G800 will bring the industry’s longest range to customers around the world, and we are seeing strong demand for this capability alongside the cabin comfort and quality Gulfstream is known for.” 

The second G800 flight test aircraft is dedicated to environmental control systems, avionics and flight controls and builds on the more than 1,600 test points already accomplished by the first G800 flight test article. 

“Thanks to the design philosophy behind our next-generation fleet, the G800 is also benefiting from the excellent progress we continue to make in the Gulfstream G700 flight test program,” Burns adds. “This commonality helps us enhance efficiency and reliability for our customers, who are already seeing firsthand how well these aircraft perform.”

The G800 can fly 8,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nautical miles at Mach 0.90 and features fuel efficiency with its combination of the Gulfstream-designed advanced high-speed wing and winglet and new, high-thrust Rolls-Royce (London, U.K.) Pearl 700 engines. Designed to seat up to 19 passengers, the G800 offers up to four living areas or three living areas with a crew compartment.

For related information, read “Gulfstream unveils G800 and G400 business jets” and “Gulfstream expands G400 business jet manufacturing facilities.”