The second and third examples of the new Gulfstream G500 (T2 and T3) joined the flight-test program late last week, supplementing the work done on the T1 aircraft, which has been flying since May. According to the manufacturer, T2 will be used for flight load validation work, while T3 is the main test bed for the G500’s Symmetry flight deck. The G500 is due to complete FAA and EASA type certification in 2017 and enter service in 2018.

The T2 and T3 aircraft made first flights within hours of each other on November 20, taking off from Gulfstream’s headquarters at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport. Operating within the flight envelope cleared by T1, the T2 flew for three hours and three minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 43,000 feet and speed of Mach 0.85. Flying for two hours and 25 minutes, T3 reached 45,000 feet and the same top speed. As of November 20, Gulfstream reported that T1 had logged 47 flights and 168 flight hours, and on November 12 reached a top speed of Mach 0.995 flying at 50,000 feet. The G500 program is targeting a max cruise speed of Mach 0.925 and a max altitude of 51,000 feet.