Gulfstream Aerospace’s soon-to-be-certified, large-cabin G500 has embarked on a world tour for current and potential customers, the Savannah, Georgia-based aircraft manufacturer announced yesterday. The 12-country tour of the new fly-by-wire business jet began on January 8 at Dallas Love Field and will conclude in June, stopping at “select cities” such as Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Milan, Moscow, Beijing, and Melbourne, Australia. The tour G500—S/N 72005, registered as N505GD—is scheduled to be on display tomorrow at the NBAA regional forum at Florida's Palm Beach International Airport, a Gulfstream spokeswoman told AIN.

“This is a momentous year for the G500, with the aircraft’s planned certification and entry into service,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “It’s an ideal time for customers to explore an aircraft that is already noted for its large, wide cabin, performance, and technology. It also gives us an opportunity to thoroughly test and examine the fully outfitted interior as we prepare for the G500’s service entry.”

Five G500s are currently undergoing flight testing, with type certification anticipated in the first quarter. In October, Gulfstream announced increased range figures for the new twinjet: 5,200 nm/9,630 km at Mach 0.85 or 4,400 nm/8,149 km at Mach 0.9.