Gulfstream G650 gets type certification

G650_FirstFlight_Aerial — The Gulfstream G650 has received type certification from the FAA and is expected to ship by the end of the year. (Gulfstream)

Gulfstream’s ultra-long range G650 business jet has received type certification from the FAA.

Advertised as the world’s fastest non-military jet, the G650 is expected to begin deliveries by the end of the year. Gulfstream has received more than 200 orders for the aircraft.

The G650 received provisional type certification in November. It set a number of speed milestones during testing, reaching its top speed of Mach 0.925 during a transcontinental flight from Burbank, California to Savannah, Georgia in February 2011. The G650 completed its first trans-Atlantic flight this May.

“The G650 is a superlative aircraft with the most technologically advanced flight deck in business aviation and the largest, most comfortable cabin in its class,” said Gulfstream president Larry Flynn.

The G650 test program was beset by a major tragedy in April last year, when test aircraft N652GD crashed after its right wingtip hit the runway during takeoff, kiling all four flight crew. All four members of a Gulfstream flightcrew were killed in April when G650 test aircraft N652GD crashed after its right wingtip hit the runway during takeoff. Gulfstream resumed test flying the following month.