Airplane Being Evaluated For FIKI
The Gulfstream G250 flight-test aircraft have completed several
ice-test certification points in anticipation of the aircraft's
certification later this year.
Serial Number (S/N) 2001, the first aircraft to join the
flight-test program on Dec. 11, 2009, has flown with simulated ice
shapes applied to the non-heated areas of the aircraft, including
the nose, tail, winglets and engine pylon. These tests were used to
evaluate the aircraft's handling, stability and control
characteristics in icing conditions.
S/N 2002, which joined the flight-test program on March 24,
2010, has completed anti-ice system dry-air testing, clearing the
way for certification flight testing into known icing conditions.
The aircraft is poised to visit the United States in search of
natural icing. The G250 uses an anti-ice system similar to
Gulfstream's large-cabin aircraft, in that heated bleed air from
the engines is routed to the leading edges to prevent ice
formation.
The three aircraft in the flight-test campaign have completed
more than 220 test flights, spending more than 700 hours in the
air. The longest flight was more than seven hours. The maximum
speed achieved was Mach 0.85, and the maximum altitude was 45,000
feet. On Dec. 9, 2010, all three flight-test aircraft flew
simultaneously for the first time.
Since its first flight on Dec. 11, 2009, S/N 2001 has confirmed
a wide range of data, including minimum control air speeds, initial
cruise performance and flight-control system/ flight-control law
performance. Additionally, S/N 2002 has undergone certification for
smoke evacuation, auxiliary power unit (APU) electrical loads, fuel
system functionality, the cabin pressure control system (CPCS),
overall aircraft loads and stall characteristics with different
centers of gravity.
S/N 2003, the last aircraft to join the flight-test program, has
undergone avionics certification testing and numerous systems
checks. Additionally, S/N 2003 made its first trans-Atlantic
crossing in support of the National Business Aviation Association
(NBAA) Conference and Exhibition in Atlanta last year. It also
performed far-field noise and high-field elevation testing.
While the test aircraft continue to push through the flight-test
campaign, several other activities are under way on the ground.
Testing is ongoing in the Integration Test Facility (ITF) at
Gulfstream's headquarters in Savannah, where engineers are
evaluating the PlaneView 250 avionics system by examining software
and hardware integration, systems development and human factors.
They're also developing and validating the procedures that will be
used in the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). Optional avionics
features, such as the head-up display (HUD) and Gulfstream Enhanced
Vision System (EVS) II are also being tested in the ITF.
ITF Cockpit Mockup
Additionally, all structural limit and ultimate load tests have
been successfully completed. The fatigue test article has been
moved to the structural test hangar, where it will be used to test
the structural integrity of the airframe over more than 40,000
cycles.
At the same time, manufacturing of the first non-test aircraft,
S/N 2004, continues at Israel Aerospace Industries near Tel Aviv.
The forward, center and aft fuselage sections have been joined, and
systems installation is under way. Production of the interior
furnishings is under way at Gulfstream's mid-cabin completions
center in Dallas, where the G250 will be outfitted and painted.