The new Gulfstream G700 ultra-long-range business jet has been awarded type certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), paving the way for customer deliveries of the aircraft to get underway.
The FAA certification also confirmed two performance improvements for the G700, including a balanced field length takeoff distance of 1,827 meters (5,995 feet) and a landing distance of 960 meters (3,150 feet) (standard ISA day, sea level). Both distances are shorter than originally anticipated.
Initially planned to occur in the fourth quarter of 2022, certification of the G700 was delayed due to a number of issues, including a time-consuming software validation requirement issued by the FAA as well as staffing shortages at the regulatory agency.
The G700 has a range of 14,353 kilometers (7,750 nautical miles) at Mach 0.85, or 12,316 kilometers (6,650 nautical miles) at Mach 0.90. Maximum operating speed is Mach 0.935. Cabin altitude is 866 meters (2,840 feet) while flying at 12,497 meters (41,000 feet).
The G700 is a stretched version of the Gulfstream G650. Gulfstream is in the process of developing a family of aircraft based on the G650, representing the largest investment made by the company in a new aircraft series. Besides the G650 and G700, the family also includes the G650ER and G800. The G650ER, which entered service in 2014, is an extended-range version of the G650.
The G800, currently in development, is a longer-range derivative of the G700. The G800 flight test program is utilizing much of the work performed during G700 testing. Gulfstream expects certification of the G800 later in 2024.
Raymond Jaworowski currently co-authors three of Forecast International's best-selling products: Civil Aircraft Forecast, Military Aircraft Forecast, and Rotorcraft Forecast. As a contributor to Aviation Week & Space Technology's Aerospace Source Book, he has authored Aircraft Outlooks, and provided input for the publication's Aircraft Specifications tables. Raymond has represented Forecast International at numerous conferences and trade shows, often as a featured speaker. He is a member of the American Helicopter Society.
