在歐洲公務航空展會（EBACE）結(jié)束后，灣流航空公司宣布了其全新機型系列G500和G600項目的最新進展。兩個項目都在順利進行中，5架G500測試飛機中的2架已完成生產(chǎn)，另外3架尚未完工。2015年5月18日，在完成操作檢查與滑行驗證后，G500第一次從薩凡納-希爾頓海德島機場起飛。
G500攀升至10,500 ft (3200 m)初始高度后到達最高海拔15,000 ft (4572 m)。在2.25小時的飛行過程中，機組人員測試了所有基礎飛行控制系統(tǒng)，評估了起飛和降落系統(tǒng)的操作質(zhì)量，模擬了一次降落與復飛，并用對稱駕駛艙觸屏控制器對所有系統(tǒng)進行了檢查。飛行過程中最高速度為194節(jié)。
數(shù)年前，灣流公司就專門為G500項目建立了4所實驗室。
•概念性模擬環(huán)境實驗室，負責電傳操縱系統(tǒng)控制規(guī)則的制定和人類因素的評估；
•一個系統(tǒng)整合平臺，負責將航電系統(tǒng)/飛機系統(tǒng)與飛機數(shù)據(jù)集合網(wǎng)絡整合起來；
•全駕駛艙整合測試設施（ITF），負責主要航電系統(tǒng)、飛機系統(tǒng)和軟件的評估。ITF的內(nèi)容還包括利用一個配置齊全的駕駛艙來測試機上廚房、灣流駕駛艙管理系統(tǒng)和其他內(nèi)部元素；
•一架地面測試機——一個包含駕駛艙，并在空間和尺寸上都精準無誤的測試裝置，用于精確評估電傳操縱系統(tǒng)的控制、液壓系統(tǒng)、電氣系統(tǒng)和起落架等的性能。
G500飛行測試項目共有5架飛機，其中包括一架配置齊全的生產(chǎn)型飛機，公司將借助這架飛機測試所有內(nèi)部元素，并將提升乘客體驗的設計整合進飛機系統(tǒng)中。
去年10月，灣流公司將G500和G600引入其在佐治亞州薩凡那新建的生產(chǎn)基地，并開始生產(chǎn)第一架G500。
自那以后，灣流公司將2架G500引入飛行測試中心，為飛行測試項目的正式啟動做準備。在正式起飛前，公司完成了地面振動與結(jié)構(gòu)模式交互測試，實現(xiàn)了結(jié)構(gòu)測試件的負荷限值，并確保所有供應商都通過了飛行安全性要求驗證。
灣流公司還啟動了第一架G600的生產(chǎn)，預計將其用于“4架飛機飛行測試項目”。兩架飛機的風洞測試都已完成，還通過了超過3.4萬小時的實驗室測試。此外，公司最近還啟動了G600 的ITF測試，并開始搭建G600地面測試機，用于飛機系統(tǒng)和軟件的全面評估。
今年2月，Pratt & Whitney加拿大公司獲得了加拿大交通部為該飛機的PW814GA與PW815GA發(fā)動機頒發(fā)的認證。
G500能夠以0.85馬赫的速度飛行5000 nmi (9260 km)或以0.90馬赫飛行3800 nmi (7038 km) ，而G600能夠以0.85馬赫飛行6200 nmi (11,482 km)，或以0.90馬赫飛行4800 nmi (8890 km)。該飛機的最大飛行速度為0.925馬赫，與灣流公司的G650與G650ER一樣。
G500和G600的全新“對稱駕駛艙”中配備了一系列尖端技術，包括主動控制側(cè)駕駛桿、一體化觸屏控制器、下一代增強視覺系統(tǒng)與霍尼韋爾的Primus Epic航電系統(tǒng)。
G500和G600的最大載客量均為19人。經(jīng)過優(yōu)化的寬敞機艙在FL510（51000英尺）高度下飛行時，客艙氣壓高度可達4850 ft (1478 m)，灣流公司稱，乘客在其機艙內(nèi)可享受“可以提神醒腦、舒緩疲勞的100%新鮮空氣。”
灣流公司預計于2017年取得G500的認證，并在2018年正式上市。G600將在G500之后，即2018年獲得認證，并于2019年上市。
另外，灣流公司還與其燃油供應商世界燃料服務公司最近簽署了一份3年合作協(xié)議，內(nèi)容是為灣流公司在薩凡那的日常飛行任務不間斷提供可再生燃料。
這是一種低碳普適型（drop-in）可再生燃料，與Jet-A燃料以30:70比例混合而成。它不僅能提供與傳統(tǒng)石油噴氣機燃料相同的性能，而且無需對出廠標準發(fā)動機或飛機進行任何改造。該燃料生產(chǎn)自農(nóng)業(yè)廢料，而且已獲得與石油Jet-A燃料同樣的行業(yè)規(guī)范認證。世界燃料公司將負責燃料的物流，確保其順利送至薩凡那。
以產(chǎn)品周期計算，與石油噴氣機燃料相比，可再生燃料每燃燒一加侖，都有望降低50%以上的溫室氣體排放。
灣流公司打算先將可再生燃料用于其“空運產(chǎn)品支持”飛機，該飛機由該公司位于薩凡那的“場地與空運支持團隊”（FAST）負責運行。FAST團隊包括技師與飛行員，后者專門負責駕駛灣流G150飛機向北美、中美和加勒比海地區(qū)的公司運行人員運送部件及人員。去年，FAST團隊完成了300多次任務。
該燃料還將用于公司內(nèi)部航線、飛行測試飛機，最終還將用于客戶的飛機上。
可再生生物材料圓桌會議將確保燃料的可持續(xù)性認證，這是一個國際多方組織，致力于促進農(nóng)民、企業(yè)、非政府機構(gòu)、專家、政府與政府間機構(gòu)的對話，以實現(xiàn)生物燃料的可持續(xù)生產(chǎn)與加工。
灣流公司的可持續(xù)性戰(zhàn)略體現(xiàn)了公司對美國國家公務航空協(xié)會、通用航空制造商協(xié)會與國際公務航空委員會設立的行業(yè)目標的大力支持。這些目標包括2020年前發(fā)展低碳航空、平均提高燃油效率2%、2050年將二氧化碳的總排放量降至2005年的50%等。
Gulfstream makes progress on G600 and G500 programs, the latter completing first flight
On the heels of EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition)Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. provided an update on its all-new aircraft family, the Gulfstream G500 and G600. Both are well under way, with two of five G500 flight-test aircraft complete and the remaining three in production. After completing operational checks and taxi validation, the G500 took to the air May 18, 2015, for its first flight out of Savannah-Hilton Head Airport.
The aircraft climbed to an initial altitude of 10,500 ft (3200 m) and reached a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft (4572 m). During the 2.25-h flight, the crew exercised all primary flight control systems; evaluated handling qualities in takeoff and landing configurations; performed a simulated approach and go-around; and checked all systems using the Symmetry flight deck touchscreen controllers. The aircraft achieved a maximum air speed of 194 knots.
Years before this first flight, Gulfstream established four labs dedicated to the G500 program, including:
• A Conceptual Advanced Simulation Environment to develop fly-by-wire control laws and perform human factors evaluations,
• A systems integration bench to integrate the avionics and aircraft systems with the aircraft’s Data Concentration Network,
• A full flight deck integration test facility (ITF) to evaluate major avionic and aircraft systems and software. The ITF also includes an outfitted cabin to test the galley, the Gulfstream Cabin Management System and other interior elements, and
• An iron bird—a spatially correct, dimensionally accurate structure, including the flight deck, used to rigorously evaluate the fly-by-wire flight controls, hydraulics, electrical systems and landing gear.
The G500 flight-test program consists of five aircraft, including a fully outfitted production aircraft that will allow the company to test all the interior elements and complete integration of the aircraft systems with the passenger experience.
Gulfstream introduced the G500 and G600 last October at one of its new manufacturing facilities in Savannah, GA. During the event, the first G500 rolled out under its own power.
Since then, Gulfstream inducted two G500 aircraft into the flight-test center in preparation for the official launching the flight-test program. Ground vibration and structural mode interaction testing were completed, the structural test article achieved limit load, and all suppliers validated the aircraft safety-of-flight requirements before clearing the aircraft for flight.
Gulfstream has also started manufacturing the first G600 aircraft, which will be used as part of the four-aircraft flight-test program. Wind-tunnel testing for both aircraft has been completed, and more than 34,000 hours of lab testing have been logged. Additionally, the company recently started testing in the G600 ITF and initiated construction of the G600 iron bird, which will allow full evaluation of the aircraft’s systems and software.
In February, Pratt & Whitney Canada had received certification of the aircraft’s PW814GA and PW815GA engines by Transport Canada in February.
The G500 will be able to fly 5000 nmi (9260 km) at Mach 0.85 or 3800 nmi (7038 km) at Mach 0.90, while the G600 will be able to carry passengers 6200 nmi (11,482 km) at Mach 0.85 and 4800 nmi (8890 km) at Mach 0.90. The maximum operating speed for the aircraft is Mach 0.925, the same maximum speed as Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER.
The G500 and G600's new intuitive Symmetry Flight Deck features cutting-edge technology in the form of active control sidesticks, integrated touchscreen controllers, a next-generation enhanced vision system, and Honeywell Primus Epic avionics.
The G500 and G600 can carry up to 19 passengers. The optimized wide cabin also features a cabin altitude of 4850 ft (1478 m) at FL510 and what Gulfstream describes as “100% fresh air that boosts mental alertness and productivity while reducing fatigue.”
Gulfstream anticipates certification of the G500 in 2017, with entry into service in 2018. The G600 certification is slated to follow in 2018 with entry into service in 2019.
In other Gulfstream news, it and its fuel supplier, World Fuel Services Inc., recently finalized a three-year agreement that provides Gulfstream with a consistent supply of renewable fuels for its daily flight operations in Savannah.
The fuel is a 30/70 blend of low-carbon, drop-in renewable fuel and Jet-A. It provides the same performance as conventional, petroleum-based jet fuel and requires no changes to factory-standard engines or aircraft. It is derived from agricultural waste and is certified to meet the same industry specifications as petroleum Jet-A. World Fuel will manage the logistics of bringing the renewable fuel to Savannah.
Each gallon of renewable fuel burned is expected to achieve a more than 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, relative to petroleum-based jet fuel, on a life-cycle basis.
Gulfstream will initially use renewable fuels on its Airborne Product Support aircraft, which are operated by Gulfstream’s Savannah-based Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST). FAST includes technicians and flight crews who travel on dedicated Gulfstream G150 aircraft to deliver parts and/or people to Gulfstream operators within North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the last year, airborne FAST crews have completed more than 300 missions.
The fuel will also be used for corporate flights, flight-test aircraft, and, eventually, customer aircraft.
Sustainability certification will be secured through the Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials, an international multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together farmers, companies, non-governmental organizations, experts, governments, and intergovernmental agencies concerned with ensuring the sustainability of biomass production and processing.
Gulfstream’s sustainability strategy supports the business aviation industry goals established by the National Business Aviation Association, the General Aviation Manufacturing Association, and the International Business Aviation Council. Those goals include carbon-neutral growth by 2020, an improvement in fuel efficiency by an average of 2% a year until 2020, and a reduction in total carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2050 relative to 2005.
begin flight tests. 圖為2015年5月18日，灣流G500正在進行它的首次飛行。G500屬于灣流公司全新的G500和G600系列，而且是最早開始飛行測試的兩架飛機之一。
