Gulfstream’s G400 completes maiden flight on SAF blend

lip_20240815_71001_ff_9645

US-based aerospace manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace announced that its G400 aircraft successfully completed its first flight using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The G400 aircraft took off from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport at 9:04 a.m. and returned 2 hours, 54 minutes later, having reached a speed of Mach 0.85 and altitude of 12,497 meters.

The aircraft can fly 4,200 nautical miles/7,778 kilometers at Mach 0.85 and is equipped with Symmetry Flight Deck and Predictive Landing Performance System to help improve flight safety and pilot situational awareness.

The G400 uses Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812GA engines and next-generation avionics.

The aircraft can seat up to nine, 11 or 12 passengers and is equipped with Gulfstream Cabin Experience with 100% fresh, never recirculated air purified by a plasma ionization clean air system; the lowest cabin altitude in its class; and light from 10 Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows.

Earlier in July, General Dynamics reported a significant boost in its aerospace segment (Gulfstream) during the second quarter of 2024. Revenue surged 50.5% year-over-year to $2.9bn, up from $1.9bn in the same period last year.

While the company secured $2.7bn in new orders during the quarter, its overall order backlog slightly dipped from $20.5bn in the first quarter of 2024 to $20bn during the period under review, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 0.9x.

Aircraft deliveries also increased, with 31 large-cabin and six mid-cabin aircraft delivered, compared to 18 and six respectively in the previous year.