Aircraft

Gulfstream Advances the G700 Flight Test Program

Published

4 years ago

July 29, 2020

The all-new Gulfstream G700 business jet surpasses speed and altitude limits during recent testing.

the Gulfstream G700 experimental test planes have flown over 100 flights. Credit: Gulfstream

Testing of the new Gulfstream G700 is well underway since the jet was revealed in October 2019. With Gulfstream boasting the industry’s most spacious cabin with the highest speeds at the longest range, they have now revealed the flight-test program is making significant progress with a number of accomplishments in testing and performance.

The G700 has chalked up over 100 test flights and recently completed Gulfstream’s flutter testing. Aeroelastic flutter is basically when a dangerous vibration begins to occur during flight, usually in the wings or tail, which often results in structural failure. High-speed aircraft are most susceptible to flutter, and especially with the introduction of thinner wings, all-movable horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and T-tail configurations, the likelihood of flutter occurring within a desired flight envelope increases further.

Gulfstream G700 experimental test aircraft flying — The Gulfstream G700 surpassed its speed and altitude parameters. Credit: Gulfstream

G700 Flight Tests Exceeding Expectations

During the G700’s testing, Gulfstream were able to expand the flight envelope (the design capabilities of the jet) at both high and low speeds. The G700 business jet flew beyond its maximum operating speed and cruise altitude, reaching Mach 0.99 and an altitude of 54,000 feet/16,459 meters. In typical operations, the G700 has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925 and a maximum cruise altitude of 51,000 ft/15,545 m. The testing showing that the all-new G700 has not only met its specs but truly surpassed them as well.

Gulfstream G700 experimental test pilots flying — Gulfstream G700 experimental aircraft pilots flying during tests. Credit: Gulfstream

Gulfstream G700 experimental flight badge emblem

“These accomplishments at this stage in flight test point to the impressive maturity of the G700 program,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream. “We designed and developed the G700 for our customers to fly safely, securely and efficiently while enjoying the same level of comfort as they do on the ground. With the largest galley in the industry, the utmost in technology, and the finest, freshest cabin environment, the G700 unlocks new opportunities in business jet travel.”

G700 Circadian Lighting System

The all-new G700 business jet features 100% fresh, never recirculated air, an industry-leading low cabin altitude, whisper-quiet noise levels, and the option for the industry’s only true circadian lighting system that attempts to counteract the onset of jetlag.

Gulfstream G700 bedroom sleeping quarters. Credit: Gulfstream

Gulfstream G700 media zone. Credit: Gulfstream

Gulfstream G700 interior floorplan options. Credit: Gulfstream

The circadian lighting concept follows that of the human circadian rhythm which is a person’s internal 24-hour clock. The hypothalamus in the brain controls each person’s circadian rhythm by receiving signals from the eyes that report when it’s daytime and night time. The hypothalamus, in turn, controls the amount of melatonin released to correlate sleepiness with darkness and alertness with lightness.

How Circadian Lighting Works

As the eyes play a fundamental part to this process, light can be manipulated in the following three ways to hack the brain from experiencing time zone disruptions:

1. Adjusting brightness and intensity with controlled dimming to correlate with a particular time of day.
2. Adjusting the color temperature of lights. We experience cooler color temperatures (ranging from 4000K up to about 10,000K) when the sun is highest in the sky and people are typically most alert during the day. Therefore, cooler color temps are used in spaces when it’s appropriate to promote alertness and attention. Warmer color temperatures (ranging from < 2700K to 3500K) represent daylight hours when the sun is rising and setting and when people are falling asleep or waking up
3. Stimulus tuning (replacing the “bad blue” light wavelengths with “good blue”).

Other features of the G700 cabin include 20 Gulfstream panoramic oval windows in up to five living areas, the Gulfstream exclusive Ultragalley floor plan option that provides more than 10 ft/3 m of counter space, as well as a master suite floor plan option with a stand-up shower.

The G700 is powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines and can fly at its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90 for 6,400 nautical miles/11,853 kilometers or at its long-range cruise of Mach 0.85 for 7,500 nm/13,890 km. The G700 also includes the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck™ with the industry’s only electronically linked active control sidesticks; the most extensive use of touch-screen technology in business aviation; and Gulfstream’s award-winning Predictive Landing Performance System.

Gulfstream G700 business jet. Credit: Gulfstream

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Aircraft

Gulfstream Delivers Final G550 Jet To Customer

Published

3 years ago

July 7, 2021

Brenon Melse

The final Gulfstream G550 business jet has been delivered to an international customer, marking an end of an era for the long-range commercial jet.

Gulfstream Makes Final G550 Commercial Delivery

After almost 20 years, Gulfstream has delivered its final G550 commercial jet to an international customer.

Entering service in 2003 as a long-range business jet, the G550 has a range of 6,750 nautical miles (12,501 kilometers) at Mach 0.80 and has broken over 55 speed records during its time of service.

Launched as a commercial jet that could be configured for business, government, or military and seat up to 19 passengers, the G550 is a versatile jet that enables owners to fly between international destinations such as Shanghai to Los Angeles, New York to Dubai, or London to Tokyo.

The Gulfstream G550 also launched the PlaneView™ flight deck platform for the first time and led the way with the certified Enhanced Vision System (now known as the Enhanced Flight Vision System – EFVS) as a standard safety feature for pilot safety.

“For nearly two decades, the G550 has been exceeding customer expectations,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “The G550 set a new standard for performance and reliability and continues to outperform and impress with its wide-ranging capabilities. Given our vast G550 fleet in service, we look forward to continuing to support all G550 customers around the world with Gulfstream Customer Support’s extensive network.”

The final delivery, which took place at the end of June, brings the global fleet of Gulfstream G550’s in service to a total of 600 jets.

Aircraft

Aerion Supersonic Jets To Close Operations

Published

4 years ago

May 25, 2021

Brenon Melse

Aerion Supersonic set to close operations after struggling to acquire further funding to produce its AS2 supersonic business jet.

Aerion AS2 supersonic private jet flying — Aerion Supersonic AS2 concept with a top speed of Mach 1.4 may never take to the skies. Credit: Aerion Supersonic

Aerion Supersonic is reportedly set to close operations after failing to secure the considerable capital required to produce its AS2 business jet at its future $300 million planned facilities at Aerion Park, Florida.

Founded in 2004 with backing from Texan billionaire Robert Bass, Aerion Supersonic started as a solution to the 2003 retired Concorde and gained backing and support from organizations like Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and NASA’s Langley Research Center.

Yet despite raising $11.2 billion in pre-sales, Aerion has struggled to gain the capital needed to bring it to market.

Aerion Park Melbourne Florida — Proposed Aerion Park multi-purpose facility in Florida, USA. Credit: Aerion Supersonic

“The AS2 supersonic business jet program meets all market, technical, regulatory and sustainability requirements, and the market for a new supersonic segment of general aviation has been validated with $11.2 billion in sales backlog for the AS2,” reads the company statement, as stated by Florida Today.

“However, in the current financial environment, it has proven hugely challenging to close on the scheduled and necessary large new capital requirements to finalize the transition of the AS2 into production. Given these conditions, the Aerion Corporation is now taking the appropriate steps in consideration of this ongoing financial environment.”

The Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet — Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet. Credit: Aerion Supersonic

As reported by CNBC in early 2020, Aerion Supersonic revealed it would need around $4 billion to continue developing the AS2 after already spending $1 billion on engine development.

Initially, Aerion Supersonic had intended to launch the 1,000-miles-per-hour jet by 2024 and begin commercial activities by 2026, producing 300 AS2 jets during the first decade of production.

Unless 11th-hour funding is secured, the future of Aerion Supersonic is set to remain indefinitely grounded.

Aircraft

Dassault Launches Falcon 10X With Largest Business Cabin Jet Yet

Published

4 years ago

May 10, 2021

Brenon Melse

Dassault Aviation’s new Falcon 10X Business Jet is a high-speed ultra-long-range jet capable of flying non-stop from New York to Shanghai.

Dassault Falcon 10X Side View — The new Dassault Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 10X Business Jet is a high-speed ultra-long-range jet featuring the largest and most comfortable cabin on a business jet yet.

Said to “deliver a level of comfort, versatility, and technology not yet seen” in terms of cabin size and comfort, the Falcon 10X is looking to rival the likes of the Gulfstream G700 and Bombardier’s Global 7500 when it goes into production end of 2025.

Dassault Falcon 10X Living — Interior cabin configuration of the new Dassault Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Aviation

“The 10X will be more than just another big step forward in business aviation. It will be absolutely the best business jet available in the ultra-long-range category and will remain so for a long time,” shared Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier.

Dassault Falcon 10X Jet Dining — Entertaining spaces aboard the Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Falcon

As the first Dassault business jet to be powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, the new Dassault Falcon 10X can achieve a top speed of Mach 0.925 and, with a nautical mile range of 7,500, will be able to fly nonstop from New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Sydney, Hong Kong to New York or even Paris to Santiago.

Dassault Falcon 10X Stateroom — Stateroom with queen bed aboard the Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Falcon

Created as a “penthouse suite in the sky,” the Dassault Falcon 10X will offer greater modularity than any other aircraft in its class and a selection of multiple interior configurations.

Dassault Falcon 10X Jet Stateroom — Dassault’s “penthouse in the sky”. Credit: Dassault Falcon

The 10X is large enough to accommodate four-cabin zones of equal length, but owners can configure their cabin as they desire to create a living space to best suit their needs, including an expanded dining/conference area, a dedicated entertainment area with a large-screen monitor, a private stateroom with a queen-size bed or an enlarged master suite with a private stand-up shower.

Dassault Falcon 10X Jet Bathroom — Private ensuite bathroom of the stateroom. Credit: Dassault Aviation

“Today we are introducing a new benchmark in business aviation,” said Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “The Falcon 10X will offer an unrivalled passenger experience over both short- and long-duration flights, along with breakthrough safety features from Dassault’s frontline fighter technology. We have optimized every aspect of the aircraft with the passenger in mind and established a new level of capability for ultra-long-range aircraft.”