Gulfstream has confirmed Melbourne as one of the destinations for the G500’s world tour, which began from Dallas Love Field earlier in January.
Between now and when the promotional tour finishes in June, the aircraft will visit 12 countries, Gulfstream said on Monday (US time). Other confirmed cities apart from Melbourne included Atlanta, Beijing, Chicago, Milan, Moscow and New York.
“This is a momentous year for the G500, with the aircraft’s planned certification and entry into service,” Gulfstream president Mark Burns said in a statement.
“It’s an ideal time for customers to explore an aircraft that is already noted for its large, wide cabin, outstanding performance and industry-leading technology.”
Further, Burns said the promotional tour would also allow the company to “thoroughly test and examine the fully outfitted interior as we prepare for the G500’s service entry”.
The G500, which seats up to 19 people, has a range of 5,200nm and a long-range cruising speed of Mach 0.85, was launched in October 2014 alongside sister-ship the G600.
The flightdeck featured “business aviation’s first active control sidesticks, the aircraft’s award-winning Symmetry Flight DeckTM includes 10 touch screens and incorporates a third-generation Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System, Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display and Head-Up Display II”, Gulfstream said.
The aircraft is planned to receive type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency in early 2018.
The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW814GA engines which power the G500 received certification from Transport Canada in February 2015.
The G500 flight test program began in May 2015 and comprised of five aircraft, including one with a fully fitted cabin interior.
News of the G500’s world tour comes as Gulfstream confirmed it had delivered its last G450.
Gulfstream said there have been some 360 G450s built since the aircraft first entered service in 2005, with the global fleet totalling some about 964,000 hours and more than 461,000 flights.
“The G450 made its mark in aviation history and remains an important member of the Gulfstream family. We will continue to provide industry-leading product support and sustaining engineering for our G450 customers,” Burns said.
