Gulfstream G600 takes first flight

Savannah, Georgia – On Dec. 17, 2016, the 113th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight, the all-new Gulfstream G600 from Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. flew for the first time, accomplishing the milestone ahead of schedule.

The G600 took off from the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport at 1:50 p.m. and spent 2 hours and 53 minutes in the air.

“The flight went exactly as anticipated, thanks in large part to the investments we have made in our ground-based laboratories,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “This flight is the perfect way to wrap up 2016 and set the tone for a successful 2017.”

The aircraft’s maiden voyage officially launches the G600’s flight-test program. Two additional aircraft have been inducted into the flight-test center in anticipation of their flights early next year.

The G600 is scheduled to enter service in 2018, ahead of initial plans for a 2019 entry.

Source: Gulfstream