On Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it had certified General Dynamics Corp’s Gulfstream flagship G700 business aircraft. This news brings fresh competition to the luxury jet market and was a key milestone for Gulfstream. The company had originally planned to deliver 19 of these large-cabin jets once they were certified, and the FAA’s approval came earlier than expected.
Certification of new aircraft in the U.S. has faced increased scrutiny following the tragic crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX planes in 2018 and 2019. Industry officials believe that this scrutiny will continue, especially after a recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines MAX 9. Gulfstream President Mark Burns anticipated that the FAA would be more thorough in their review of the G700 in light of these incidents, but ultimately felt confident in the process. He was pleased to announce that the G700 had exceeded expectations in terms of takeoff and landing distances.
The G700 has undergone extensive testing, resulting in performance improvements such as increased range and speed capabilities. These enhancements have positioned the G700 as the fastest Gulfstream jet, with a range of 7,750 nautical miles at Mach 0.85. As demand for private jets remains strong due to COVID-19 pandemic, business jet manufacturers like Gulfstream are optimistic about future sales. However, concerns about slowing global growth and availability of pre-owned planes could impact demand in coming years
