One of the Gulfstream G400 test aircraft has reportedly established a new speed record on the route from Miami to Las Vegas, completing the journey in just four hours and eight minutes. According to corporate statements, the aircraft was en route to the NBAA-BACE business aviation exhibition, maintaining an average speed of 1,090 kilometers per hour during the flight.
Gulfstream Aerospace also announced another significant milestone within the G400 program during the exhibition—the maiden flight of a test aircraft featuring a fully outfitted cabin. This particular machine took off from Dallas Love Field in the United States, spending two hours and 46 minutes in the air while reaching an altitude of 14.6 kilometers.
The newly tested aircraft cabin is configured to accommodate 11 passengers, with the interior space reportedly divided into two and a half zones. During the journey, technical specialists tested the high-altitude performance of onboard systems, evaluating their overall functionality and prospective passenger comfort.
The twin-engine G400 business jet is designed with a projected range of 7,780 kilometers. The introduction of a fully completed cabin marks another procedural step in the certification program. Mark Burns, president of the US-based Gulfstream Aerospace, avoided providing a specific timeframe for receiving certification during a press meeting, though he allegedly claimed that the program is progressing "very well" without foreseen risks.
Overall, the G400 flight test program is slated to incorporate a total of four aircraft. The performance metrics achieved during the Miami-Las Vegas flight have been officially published as a route-specific speed benchmark.
Source: kun.uz