在欧洲公务航空展会（EBACE）结束后，湾流航空公司宣布了其全新机型系列G500和G600项目的最新进展。两个项目都在顺利进行中，5架G500测试飞机中的2架已完成生产，另外3架尚未完工。2015年5月18日，在完成操作检查与滑行验证后，G500第一次从萨凡纳-希尔顿海德岛机场起飞。

G500攀升至10,500 ft (3200 m)初始高度后到达最高海拔15,000 ft (4572 m)。在2.25小时的飞行过程中，机组人员测试了所有基础飞行控制系统，评估了起飞和降落系统的操作质量，模拟了一次降落与复飞，并用对称驾驶舱触屏控制器对所有系统进行了检查。飞行过程中最高速度为194节。

数年前，湾流公司就专门为G500项目建立了4所实验室。

•概念性模拟环境实验室，负责电传操纵系统控制规则的制定和人类因素的评估；

•一个系统整合平台，负责将航电系统/飞机系统与飞机数据集合网络整合起来；

•全驾驶舱整合测试设施（ITF），负责主要航电系统、飞机系统和软件的评估。ITF的内容还包括利用一个配置齐全的驾驶舱来测试机上厨房、湾流驾驶舱管理系统和其他内部元素；

•一架地面测试机——一个包含驾驶舱，并在空间和尺寸上都精准无误的测试装置，用于精确评估电传操纵系统的控制、液压系统、电气系统和起落架等的性能。

G500飞行测试项目共有5架飞机，其中包括一架配置齐全的生产型飞机，公司将借助这架飞机测试所有内部元素，并将提升乘客体验的设计整合进飞机系统中。

去年10月，湾流公司将G500和G600引入其在佐治亚州萨凡那新建的生产基地，并开始生产第一架G500。

自那以后，湾流公司将2架G500引入飞行测试中心，为飞行测试项目的正式启动做准备。在正式起飞前，公司完成了地面振动与结构模式交互测试，实现了结构测试件的负荷限值，并确保所有供应商都通过了飞行安全性要求验证。

湾流公司还启动了第一架G600的生产，预计将其用于“4架飞机飞行测试项目”。两架飞机的风洞测试都已完成，还通过了超过3.4万小时的实验室测试。此外，公司最近还启动了G600 的ITF测试，并开始搭建G600地面测试机，用于飞机系统和软件的全面评估。

今年2月，Pratt & Whitney加拿大公司获得了加拿大交通部为该飞机的PW814GA与PW815GA发动机颁发的认证。

G500能够以0.85马赫的速度飞行5000 nmi (9260 km)或以0.90马赫飞行3800 nmi (7038 km) ，而G600能够以0.85马赫飞行6200 nmi (11,482 km)，或以0.90马赫飞行4800 nmi (8890 km)。该飞机的最大飞行速度为0.925马赫，与湾流公司的G650与G650ER一样。

G500和G600的全新“对称驾驶舱”中配备了一系列尖端技术，包括主动控制侧驾驶杆、一体化触屏控制器、下一代增强视觉系统与霍尼韦尔的Primus Epic航电系统。

G500和G600的最大载客量均为19人。经过优化的宽敞机舱在FL510（51000英尺）高度下飞行时，客舱气压高度可达4850 ft (1478 m)，湾流公司称，乘客在其机舱内可享受“可以提神醒脑、舒缓疲劳的100%新鲜空气。”

湾流公司预计于2017年取得G500的认证，并在2018年正式上市。G600将在G500之后，即2018年获得认证，并于2019年上市。

另外，湾流公司还与其燃油供应商世界燃料服务公司最近签署了一份3年合作协议，内容是为湾流公司在萨凡那的日常飞行任务不间断提供可再生燃料。

这是一种低碳普适型（drop-in）可再生燃料，与Jet-A燃料以30:70比例混合而成。它不仅能提供与传统石油喷气机燃料相同的性能，而且无需对出厂标准发动机或飞机进行任何改造。该燃料生产自农业废料，而且已获得与石油Jet-A燃料同样的行业规范认证。世界燃料公司将负责燃料的物流，确保其顺利送至萨凡那。

以产品周期计算，与石油喷气机燃料相比，可再生燃料每燃烧一加仑，都有望降低50%以上的温室气体排放。

湾流公司打算先将可再生燃料用于其“空运产品支持”飞机，该飞机由该公司位于萨凡那的“场地与空运支持团队”（FAST）负责运行。FAST团队包括技师与飞行员，后者专门负责驾驶湾流G150飞机向北美、中美和加勒比海地区的公司运行人员运送部件及人员。去年，FAST团队完成了300多次任务。

该燃料还将用于公司内部航线、飞行测试飞机，最终还将用于客户的飞机上。

可再生生物材料圆桌会议将确保燃料的可持续性认证，这是一个国际多方组织，致力于促进农民、企业、非政府机构、专家、政府与政府间机构的对话，以实现生物燃料的可持续生产与加工。 

湾流公司的可持续性战略体现了公司对美国国家公务航空协会、通用航空制造商协会与国际公务航空委员会设立的行业目标的大力支持。这些目标包括2020年前发展低碳航空、平均提高燃油效率2%、2050年将二氧化碳的总排放量降至2005年的50%等。

Gulfstream makes progress on G600 and G500 programs, the latter completing first flight

On the heels of EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition)Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. provided an update on its all-new aircraft family, the Gulfstream G500 and G600. Both are well under way, with two of five G500 flight-test aircraft complete and the remaining three in production. After completing operational checks and taxi validation, the G500 took to the air May 18, 2015, for its first flight out of Savannah-Hilton Head Airport.

The aircraft climbed to an initial altitude of 10,500 ft (3200 m) and reached a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft (4572 m). During the 2.25-h flight, the crew exercised all primary flight control systems; evaluated handling qualities in takeoff and landing configurations; performed a simulated approach and go-around; and checked all systems using the Symmetry flight deck touchscreen controllers. The aircraft achieved a maximum air speed of 194 knots. 

Years before this first flight, Gulfstream established four labs dedicated to the G500 program, including:

• A Conceptual Advanced Simulation Environment to develop fly-by-wire control laws and perform human factors evaluations,

• A systems integration bench to integrate the avionics and aircraft systems with the aircraft’s Data Concentration Network,

• A full flight deck integration test facility (ITF) to evaluate major avionic and aircraft systems and software. The ITF also includes an outfitted cabin to test the galley, the Gulfstream Cabin Management System and other interior elements, and 

• An iron bird—a spatially correct, dimensionally accurate structure, including the flight deck, used to rigorously evaluate the fly-by-wire flight controls, hydraulics, electrical systems and landing gear.

The G500 flight-test program consists of five aircraft, including a fully outfitted production aircraft that will allow the company to test all the interior elements and complete integration of the aircraft systems with the passenger experience.

Gulfstream introduced the G500 and G600 last October at one of its new manufacturing facilities in Savannah, GA. During the event, the first G500 rolled out under its own power.

Since then, Gulfstream inducted two G500 aircraft into the flight-test center in preparation for the official launching the flight-test program. Ground vibration and structural mode interaction testing were completed, the structural test article achieved limit load, and all suppliers validated the aircraft safety-of-flight requirements before clearing the aircraft for flight.

Gulfstream has also started manufacturing the first G600 aircraft, which will be used as part of the four-aircraft flight-test program. Wind-tunnel testing for both aircraft has been completed, and more than 34,000 hours of lab testing have been logged. Additionally, the company recently started testing in the G600 ITF and initiated construction of the G600 iron bird, which will allow full evaluation of the aircraft’s systems and software.

In February, Pratt & Whitney Canada had received certification of the aircraft’s PW814GA and PW815GA engines by Transport Canada in February.

The G500 will be able to fly 5000 nmi (9260 km) at Mach 0.85 or 3800 nmi (7038 km) at Mach 0.90, while the G600 will be able to carry passengers 6200 nmi (11,482 km) at Mach 0.85 and 4800 nmi (8890 km) at Mach 0.90. The maximum operating speed for the aircraft is Mach 0.925, the same maximum speed as Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER.

The G500 and G600's new intuitive Symmetry Flight Deck features cutting-edge technology in the form of active control sidesticks, integrated touchscreen controllers, a next-generation enhanced vision system, and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics.

The G500 and G600 can carry up to 19 passengers. The optimized wide cabin also features a cabin altitude of 4850 ft (1478 m) at FL510 and what Gulfstream describes as “100% fresh air that boosts mental alertness and productivity while reducing fatigue.”

Gulfstream anticipates certification 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.

In other Gulfstream news, it and its fuel supplier, World Fuel Services Inc., recently finalized a three-year agreement that provides Gulfstream with a consistent supply of renewable fuels for its daily flight operations in Savannah.

The fuel is a 30/70 blend of low-carbon, drop-in renewable fuel and Jet-A. It provides the same performance as conventional, petroleum-based jet fuel and requires no changes to factory-standard engines or aircraft. It is derived from agricultural waste and is certified to meet the same industry specifications as petroleum Jet-A. World Fuel will manage the logistics of bringing the renewable fuel to Savannah.

Each gallon of renewable fuel burned is expected to achieve a more than 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, relative to petroleum-based jet fuel, on a life-cycle basis.

Gulfstream will initially use renewable fuels on its Airborne Product Support aircraft, which are operated by Gulfstream’s Savannah-based Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST). FAST includes technicians and flight crews who travel on dedicated Gulfstream G150 aircraft to deliver parts and/or people to Gulfstream operators within North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the last year, airborne FAST crews have completed more than 300 missions.

The fuel will also be used for corporate flights, flight-test aircraft, and, eventually, customer aircraft.

Sustainability certification will be secured through the Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials, an international multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together farmers, companies, non-governmental organizations, experts, governments, and intergovernmental agencies concerned with ensuring the sustainability of biomass production and processing.

Gulfstream’s sustainability strategy supports the business aviation industry goals established by the National Business Aviation Association, the General Aviation Manufacturing Association, and the International Business Aviation Council. Those goals include carbon-neutral growth by 2020, an improvement in fuel efficiency by an average of 2% a year until 2020, and a reduction in total carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2050 relative to 2005.