Gulfstream begins completion of final G450

The final Gulfstream G450 has rolled off the manufacturer's Savanah production line and is now undergoing completion at the airframer's maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Appleton, Wisconsin, in preparation for its delivery to an unnamed customer early next year.

Gulfstream called time on the Rolls-Royce Tay-powered G450 a year ago, ending a 14-year production run for the aircraft, the third iteration of the venerable GIV which entered service in 1988.

It has been replaced in Gulfstream’s six-strong product line by the larger, faster and longer-range G500, which is scheduled for certification later this year.

Meanwhile, the G500 flight-test fleet has logged nearly 3,600h across 955 sorties since the certification campaign began in May 2015, says Gulfstream. The fifth and final aircraft – a production-representative model, featuring a full interior – will be the first example to enter service, and will be used as a company demonstrator. Customer deliveries of the $43.5 million, 5,000nm (9,250km)-range type are scheduled to begin in early 2018.

(Evangle Luo of TTFLY shared with you)