Gulfstream Aerospace’s second flight-test G800 took to the skies for the first time on Saturday morning, the company announced today. The ultra-long-range twinjet took off at 9:27 a.m. from Gulfstream’s headquarters at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV) in Georgia and flew for 3 hours and 26 minutes using a 30 percent sustainable aviation fuel blend. It reached a top speed of Mach 0.935 during the flight. 

“Gulfstream’s flight-test team continues to make advanced strides forward for our company,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. Able to fly 8,000 nm nonstop, “the G800 will bring the industry’s longest range to customers around the world, and we are seeing strong demand for this capability,” he added.

This second G800 will be dedicated to environmental control systems, avionics, and flight controls evaluation and builds on the more than 1,600 test points already accomplished by the first flight-test G800, according to Gulfstream. 

“Thanks to the design philosophy behind our next-generation fleet, the G800 is also benefiting from the excellent progress we continue to make in the G700 flight-test program,” Burns said. “This commonality helps us enhance efficiency and reliability for our customers, who are already seeing firsthand how well these aircraft perform.”

FAA and EASA certification of the G700 is expected in the fourth quarter, with G800 approval to follow in about six months, Gulfstream said.