FAA extends Gulfstream G700, G800 fuel icing exemption through 2026

Photos of G700 and G800 from GulfstreamThe FAA has granted Gulfstream a limited-time exemption from certain fuel system icing rules. The three-year exemption will allow Gulfstream to conduct full-scale fuel system testing for the G700 and G800 to show that the fuel system icing threat has been mitigated. Gulfstream petitioned for the exemption on Oct. 20, 2023 and the FAA and Department of Transportation issued the final decision allowing the limited-time exemption on Jan. 17. The exemption is granted with certain conditions and limitations (Candamp;L). Before Dec. 31, 2026, the G700 and G800 must be shown to fully comply with specific icing-related amendments before an airworthiness certificate will be granted. Before June 31, 2026 Gulfstream must have completed certification testing for the planes, using a type design test configuration and certification test method approved by the FAA and demonstrating that the fuel system is capable of operating and functioning properly under conditions where ice may form in the fuel system of the G700 or G800. Before Sept. 31, 2026 the company will submit service instructions for in-service retrofits for all the design changes and/or operating and maintenance limitations required to meet the Candamp;L no. 1 to the FAA for approval.Find the petition, summary and final decision here For the exemption to apply to the G700 and G800 aircraft issued an airworthiness approval after Dec. 31, 2026 Gulfstream must include in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for the two planes with specific conditions. The plane may not be operated after Dec. 31, 2026 unless the type design can fully comply with the listed amendments. Gulfstream must also include the airworthiness limitations required by Candamp;L no. 4 of the exemption as part of the type design. Gulfstream must also submit a plan for meeting Candamp;L nos. 1 and 2 including a project schedule that has identified all major milestones to the FAA oversight office within six months of the effective date of the exemption. The company is also required to submit a current update to the plan to the FAA oversight office no less than every three months after. The exemption will terminate on De. 31, 2026 unless sooner superseded or rescinded. Gulfstream sent the letter petitioning for the exemption in October 2023, stating that the exemption would allow the company to develop and conduct full-scale testing of the fuel system on the G700 and G800 planes equipped with Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR700-730B2-14 engines to demonstrate that the fuel system is fully capable of sustaining operations and functioning properly under conditions where ice may form in the fuel system of Gulfstream Model GVIII series planes. The petition requested relief from certain regulations and supported each request with information and plans for the eventual demonstration of compliance.G800 flying In the petition, Gulfstream said that the GVIII-G700 and GVIII-G800 planes utilized fuel delivery system architecture that was similar to Model GVI and GVII planes, which have a good service history regarding fuel icing. Altogether, these in-service planes have accumulated over 750,000 flight hours without any engine thrust anomalies attributed to fuel icing. The petition further states that the G700 and G800 fuel delivery systems incorporate additional improvements to further reduce icing risks. A summary of the petition was published in the Federal Register on Nov. 22, 2023 and the FAA did not receive any comments. The FAA reviewed the information Gulfstream submitted and determined that granting the limited-time exemption was in the public interest. The agency agreed with Gulfstream, granting the exemption requiring the company to show full compliance within three years. Gulfstream will work with the FAA on the certification activities required to bring the GVIII series planes to full compliance with regulations. The FAA also stated that it was granting the petition as it would not adversely affect safety and was in the public interest. The G700 was expected to enter into service by the end of 2023 but has faced substantial delays. Development on the G800 has been progressing and achieved EASA certification in September 2023, along with the G700.