G650 aircraft resumes flight tests nearly two months after deadly crash

Posted by John McHaleSAVANNAH, Ga., May 28, 2011. Nearly two months after a deadly crash of its G650 aircraft that killed all aboard, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. officials announced the aircraft's flight test program has started up again.The first post-crash was made by Serial Number 6001, which flew for 1 hour and 39 minutes. The four remaining flight-test aircraft will handle the testing from here on out. Company officials are still optimistic that certification will be achieved this year and that the G650 will be in service next year. So far the Gulfstream G650 has made 470 test flights, accounting for 1,560 hours of the approximate 2,200 hours necessary for certification. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials continue to work Gulfstream during their investigation.