Large-Cabin, Mid-Range Business Jet Has Smooth First Flight

SAVANNAH, Ga., March 25, 2010 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced today that a second large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250 completed its first flight. Gulfstream, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designed and built the super mid-size business jet in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Flown by IAI chief test pilot Ronen Shapira, the test article — called serial number (S/N) 2002 — departed from Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv at 2:45 p.m. local time March 24. The aircraft flew for 1 hour and 57 minutes, reaching an altitude of 20,000 feet (6,096 m) and a speed of 195 knots.

“We are very pleased with the progress that we’ve made,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “Both aircraft have performed wonderfully. We have a lot of work ahead, but we are excited about where we are.”

David Dagan, corporate vice president and general manager, Commercial Aircraft Group, IAI, said, “The successful first flight is an indication of the excellent progress we’re making in our path toward certification. The first two aircraft performed exactly as expected. This is a tribute to our use of the most advanced technology, development and production techniques available, not to mention the combined talent of IAI and Gulfstream.”

The first test article — S/N 2001 — has amassed more than 70 flight hours since its first flight in December, and has already reached its maximum certified speed and altitude — Mach 0.85 and 45,000 feet (13,720 m).

The G250 flight-test and certification plan involves three aircraft and an estimated 1,300 hours of testing. Each aircraft is used for a specific series of tests, with S/N 2001 focused on in-flight performance and handling, S/N 2002 on avionics and S/N 2003 on systems functionality and reliability. Evaluation of the airframe structure and new PlaneView TM 250 avionics package is under way, with testing of the fatigue article to begin later this year.

Cabin mock-up on tour

To increase the exposure of this new aircraft, Gulfstream created a true-to-size cabin mock-up on a trailer and is exhibiting it at general aviation airports across the United States. Customers can walk into the cabin, sit down, feel the upholstery, examine the cabinetry and new lavatory up close, and experience the lighting system. At each site, Gulfstream sales engineers and completion experts are on hand to answer questions.

The first G250 rolled out of the IAI manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv under its own power on Oct. 6, 2009. It is on schedule for type certification in 2011.

The G250 offers the largest cabin and the longest range at the fastest speed in its class. Powered by twin Honeywell HTF7250G engines, the business jet is capable of traveling 3,400 nautical miles at Mach 0.80. Its initial cruise altitude is 41,000 feet (12,496 m).

The G250 will be completed at the Gulfstream Mid-Cabin Center of Excellence in Dallas.