Gulfstream’s G800 Aces Second Test Flight

Gulfstream Aerospace's ultra-long-range twinjet, the G800, made a crucial step forward as its second test aircraft completed its inaugural flight. Launching from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Georgia, the aircraft took off at 9:27 a.m. on Saturday 15th of July, operating on a 30 percent sustainable aviation fuel blend. During its 3 hours and 26 minutes of airborne time, the G800 achieved a top speed of Mach 0.935.

With the ability to cover 8,000 nautical miles nonstop, the G800 stands poised to revolutionize the private jet industry by offering unprecedented range. Mark Burns, Gulfstream's President, expressed optimism regarding the G800's potential, with the industry signaling robust demand for this groundbreaking capability.

Source: Gulfstream Aerospace; Gulfstream G800

The flight's success is built on over 1,600 test points achieved by the initial G800 flight-test vehicle. According to Gulfstream, this second aircraft will be devoted to assessing environmental control systems, avionics, and flight controls. The G800 is also expected to gain from ongoing progress in the G700 flight-test program due to design commonalities that enhance efficiency and reliability for clients.

The G800, with a seating capacity of 19 passengers, forms part of a comprehensive flight-test and certification program involving three aircrafts in total. The jet, powered by twin Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 turbofans, shares some similarities with the slightly longer G700, allowing Gulfstream to utilize some G700 test results for the G800 certification process.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to certify the G700 later this year, with the G800 following suit within approximately six months. Despite the ongoing challenges and increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies, Burns remains hopeful about the certification timelines.

Furthermore, Gulfstream continues development on its smaller G400, with plans to initiate deliveries in 2025. All these combined endeavors demonstrate Gulfstream's commitment to advancing the frontier of private aviation.

The G800 will be available for charter from SuperFLY in early 2026