Gulfstream prepared for tougher G400 flight-test and certification programme

Gulfstream remains on track with developing and certificating its G400 large-cabin business jet, though the company anticipates the G400 will require a more-comprehensive flight-test and certification campaign than its G800. The Savannah airframer jointly launched the G400 and G800 development programmes in October 2021. It aims to deliver the first G800 in 2023, followed in 2025 with the first G400 delivery. “The rigour with which we’ve had to do some of our testing, especially in the labs, significantly increased,” Gulfstream senior VP of innovation, engineering and flight Vicki Britt said earlier this month. She was speaking of the G400’s certification. Gulfstream has not yet rolled out the prototype G400. “For the 400 – we’ll have more of a flight-test programme,” Britt added. The test programme will involve five G400s, including one designated for testing cabin systems, she said. By comparison, the G800’s test programme will involve only three jets, including one used for cabin testing. Though launched in tandem, the G400 and G800 are based on different aircraft platforms. The G800 is a shorter derivative of Gulfstream’s largest business jet, the G700, which it launched in October 2019. The jets are ultra-long-range sister ships that share the same Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 turbofans. <br/>