Although the April 2 crash of flight test G650 serial number 6002 has created some potential delays in the certification program, Gulfstream remains confident that the new large-cabin jet will achieve FAA approval by the end of this year. Gulfstream expects to deliver 12 green G650s by the end of this year and has orders for more than 200 of the ultra-large cabin, ultra-long-range jet.
“First and foremost, we’re taking care of the families,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, referring to the two pilots and two technical specialists killed in the G650 flight-test accident. “And we’re working with the NSTB [on the investigation]. They are responsible for announcing the causal factors. We’re working with the FAA on when we can safely resume flight testing. The accident occurred during a difficult test. This was an engine-out, low-speed, high-angle takeoff test. In the near-term, we’ll increase speeds a bit to get some margin,” he said.
“We feel confident about the design,” said Lombardo. “Whether there will be delays in certification, it’s most likely.”
Meanwhile, all other aspects of the G650 certification program remain on track, except for flight test. By the end of March, the flight-test fleet had logged 1,560 hours during more than 470 flights, toward an expected total of 2,000 hours. The entire performance envelope of the fly-by-wire G650 has been fully opened, Henne said. Highest altitude reached was 55,000 feet, maximum speed Mach 0.995 and longest flight 14 hours.
On the production line, G650 serial number 6009’s airframe is complete and 6010, 6011, 6012 and 6013 are in process. G650 fatigue test article F6 will be tested in the structural test hangar to 2.5 times the airframe life; one life cycle is 40,000 hours and 17,000 landings. Fatigue testing is ongoing, Henne said, and the G650 will have achieved more than the minimum 10 percent of the 40,000 cycles required at certification.
The G650 simulator has been delivered to the FlightSafety learning center in Savannah, Georgia, next to the Gulfstream factory, and FAA level-D certification of the simulator is expected in 2012.
:wacko: 
