Gulfstream Aerospace's new G280 business jet has earned type certificates from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI). The certificates verify the airworthiness of the aircraft’s design and are among the final steps required before Gulfstream delivers the first fully outfitted G280 to a customer.
A joint development between Gulfstream and Israel Aerospace Industries, the G280 was announced in 2008 and is a replacement for the large-cabin, mid-range G200. The first prototype flew in December 2009, and three G280s were tested over 794 flights and 2150 hours in the air.
Gulfstream President Larry Flynn is confident the G280 will hit a chord with operators.
“Gulfstream is excited to bring this aircraft to its customers, especially since we’re able to provide a plane that does more than we originally announced,” he said. “The G280 has a range of 3600 nm at Mach 0.80. This increase of 200 nm over our original projections results in increased fuel efficiency and lower operating costs for our customers. It’s the only mid-sized aircraft that can reliably fly non-stop between London and New York."
The G280 is pushed along by twin Honeywell HTF250G engines putting out 7445 lb of thrust each. It has an MTOW of 17,963 kg and a maximum cruise altitude of 47,000 feet. The cabin seats 8-10 and the cockpit is fitted with Rockwell Collins Proline Fusion avionics.