The new Gulfstream G400

The Gulfstream G400 flight test prototype took to the sky in August for a 2-hour, 54-minute first flight, marking the official start of the company’s quest for FAA certification of the new design. Gulfstream announced that it plans for certification “in 2025” but is reluctant to be more specific about a date due to several factors.

Gulfstream G400 First Flight

Photo: Gulfstream

When announcing the prototype flight, Mark Burns, Gulfstream’s president, said,

“The completion of the first flight marks a significant milestone for the G400. It demonstrates, yet again, the maturity of Gulfstream’s new aircraft programs and the advantages created by the intentionally designed commonalities shared across our next-generation fleet.”

Gulfstream positions the G400 as an entry-level into the large-cabin business jet market. The jet will compete with aircraft like the Dassault Falcon 2000 series and Bombardier Global 5000. Its certification and entry into service will complete Gulfstream’s product lineup, offering options from the mid-size to ultra-long-range segments.

Current Status

Gulfstream emphasized in its announcement of the G400’s first flight that the combination of Gulfstream’s aerodynamic clean-wing design and new advanced Pratt & Whitney Canada engines make the new jet a leader in the large cabin class.

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Photo: Gulfstream

However, the new engines and the other highly advanced technology incorporated into the G400 design make the testing and FAA certification program more complex by an order of magnitude.

Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 series engines

The Pratt & Whitney PW812GA engine powers the G400. This new design is part of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW800 engine family, which also powers several Gulfstream business jets. Gulfstream selected the new turbofan in October 2021 to power the G400. The PW812GA received its Type Certification from Transport Canada Civil Aviation in September 2022, achieving a significant milestone for the engine and the G400 program.

Want to know more? Read all about the 5 unique features offered by the G400

While the PW812GA itself is new and designed for the G400, it does share some commonalities with other engines in the PW800 family, like the G500’s PW814GA and the PW815GA on the Gulfstream G600.

Ultra-sophisticated avionics

The new aircraft also features Gulfstream’s next-generation avionics and technology, including the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck with active control sidesticks, an extensive use of touch-screen technology, and the Predictive Landing Performance System.

G800 Symmetry cockpit

Photo: Gulfstream Aerospace

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The G400 can connect city pairs like Munich to Mumbai, Zurich to New York, or Geneva to Dubai, among other nonstop flights, all at speeds faster than any aircraft in its market segment. The level of complexity in the aircraft’s engineering and design is reflected in the fact that the prototype flight occurred nearly three years after Gulfstream first announced the G400 in October 2021.

The certification project timeline

The Gulfstream G400 flight test program will operate five test aircraft. The company announced that it aims to achieve certification and begin deliveries of the G400 sometime in 2025. However, the exact certification date remains uncertain for several reasons. Gulfstream anticipates a more extensive flight test and certification campaign for the G400 than other recent programs. This is due to using a new Pratt & Whitney PW800 engine variant, the PW812GA.

The FAA has also changed certification requirements following the Boeing 737 MAX issues. The new certification requirements, including mandated technology for improved crew alerting systems and better evaluation of pilot responses to cockpit alerts, will undoubtedly add time to the certification process.

Factors Influencing Certification

Many pacing items will impact the G400’s certification timeline. Software testing is an example, as the G400 will require more extensive software testing than its predecessors, the G500 and G600. Gulfstream has acknowledged the likelihood of a longer certification timeline compared to its recent programs and said that customers may anticipate updates from Gulfstream as the flight test program progresses throughout 2024 and into 2025.

Gulfstream is taking steps to minimize certification program delays. The company’s allocation of five test aircraft for the G400 certification program, including one dedicated to cabin systems testing, is more than the three test aircraft used for the G800 program, indicating a more comprehensive testing regime.

Limited commonality and new technologies

Unlike the G800, which shares many components with the G700, the G400 has less commonality with existing certificated models, requiring more testing.

The G400 incorporates new technologies and systems that require thorough testing and validation. Gulfstream says that it is prepared for the additional rigors of testing and certification, recognizing the importance of thorough validation for safety and performance.

Launch customer announced

As it contends with a multi-faceted certification test program, Gulfstream recently identified a launch customer for the G400. On September 12, 2024, Gulfstream Aerospace announced that German-based DC Aviation Group had purchased the first Gulfstream G400 intended for dedicated charter operations in Europe.

Gulfstream G400 Sale Europe

Photo: Gulfstream Aerospace

The parties announced the sale at a signing ceremony at Gulfstream’s Customer Support facility in Farnborough, England. DC Aviation is positioning itself as the world’s first operator of the G400. This announcement is significant for both Gulfstream and DC Aviation. It demonstrates demand for the G400 in the European market and positions DC Aviation as a leader in adopting new business jet technology.

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