Gulfstream's G500 has completed five test flights since it first took to the skies in May. During more than 15 hours of flying, the aircraft has achieved a top speed of Mach 0.80 and a maximum altitude of 38,500 feet. Its longest flight lasted over four hours.

“The first five flights exceeded our expectations,” says senior vp Dan Nale. “They demonstrated that our testing facilities on the ground are having very real benefits in the air, allowing us to identify and address issues before they are encountered during flight.”

Gulfstream announced the G500 and G600 family of aircraft in October 2014. Programmes for both aircraft are progressing well; as the first G500 flight test unit undergoes modification, two more are preparing for flight and a fourth is in production. The first G600 flight test aircraft has entered the initial stages of production.

The G500 is expected to have a range of 5,000 nm at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm at Mach 0.90, while the G600 could carry passengers 6,200 nm at Mach 0.85 and 4,800 nm at Mach 0.90. The maximum operating speed for both aircraft is projected at Mach 0.925, which is the same as Gulfstream's G650 and G650ER.

Both types also include Gulfstream's Symmetry flight deck with active control sidesticks, integrated touchscreen controllers, an enhanced vision system and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics.

Gulfstream anticipates certif-ication of the G500 in 2017, with entry into service in 2018. The G600 certification is slated to follow in 2018, with entry into service in 2019.