2017-03-06

Second Bombardier Global 7000 Flight Test Vehicle Takes to the Skies

  • Global 7000 aircraft will provide passengers an uncompromising smooth ride
  • Global 7000 and Global 8000 program demonstrating solid maturity
  • FTV2 will join FTV1 at Bombardier’s world-class flight test center in Wichita in the coming weeks

Bombardier Business Aircraft announced today that the Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft program’s second flight test vehicle (FTV2) completed its initial flight. This milestone further confirms that the program’s development is progressing well and that the Global 7000 aircraft is on track to enter into service in the second half of 2018.

FTV2, named, “The Powerhouse,” is designed to test aircraft systems, including propulsion, electrical and mechanical systems, all of which were fully functional during the 4 hour, 28 minute flight.

Captain Jeff Karnes, assisted by his co-pilot, J.R. Marcolesco and Flight Test Engineer Ben Povall took off from Bombardier’s Toronto facility at 10:50 a.m. EST on Saturday. The initial flight also tested the aircraft’s performance at high altitude, with FTV2 climbing to 43,000 feet (13,106.4 metres), as expected.

“The successful flight of the first flight test vehicle (FTV1) in November 2016 paved the way to the smooth flight of FTV2 this past weekend,” said Michel Ouellette, Senior Vice President, Global 7000 and Global 8000 Program. “We are focused on meeting the program’s development and certification schedule and, once again, we have demonstrated our ability to deliver results through the hard work and dedication of the highly skilled teams working on the program."

“We now have a flight test vehicle dedicated to testing the aircraft’s systems. Data from FTV2 will supplement the successful results we have already obtained from test rigs, including the Integrated Systems Test and Certification Rig (ISCTR) and, from the extensive flight testing of FTV1 to date,” said Francois Caza, Vice President, Product Development and Chief Engineer, Bombardier. “We are on track with our test program and are very pleased with the progression and performance of our flight test vehicles to date. The dedication and collaboration our teams have shown were critical in achieving this significant milestone”, he added.

About the Global 7000 aircraft

The Global 7000 business jet is uniquely designed from the inside out to deliver a cabin experience like no other. The industry’s only business jet with four living spaces and a dedicated crew rest area, the Global 7000 aircraft offers unparalleled comfort and interior design flexibility that will set the standard for a new category of large business jets.

The advanced wing design on the Global 7000 aircraft was conceived to optimize speed, range and control for an exceptionally smooth ride, steep approach capability and short field performance. With access to airports such as London City, the Global 7000 gets you closer to your final destination more efficiently.

The Global 7000 business aircraft will connect London to Singapore, Dubai to New York City, or Sydney to San Francisco non-stop,* and feature a maximum operating speed of M 0.925.* Passengers flying on the Global 7000 business jet will experience an impressive long-range capability of 7,400 NM (13,705 km) at M 0.85 with eight passengers.
* Under certain operating conditions.

About Bombardier

Bombardier (BBD-B.TO) and its subsidiaries (Bombardier Group), is a global leader in aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing, and servicing the world's most exceptional business jets. Bombardier’s Challenger and Global aircraft families are renowned for their cutting-edge innovation, cabin design, performance, and reliability. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of more than 5,000 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. Bombardier aircraft are also trusted around the world in government and military special-mission roles leveraging Bombardier Defense’s proven expertise.

Bombardier is headquartered in Greater Montréal, Québec, and through the Bombardier Group, operates aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Bombardier Group’s robust customer support network services the Learjet, Challenger and Global families of aircraft, and includes facilities in strategic locations in the United States and Canada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, the UAE, Singapore, China and Australia. For corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s Environmental, Social and Governance report, as well as the company’s plans to cover all its flight operations with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) utilizing the Book and Claim system visit bombardier.com. Learn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier.

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Mark Masluch - Senior Director, Communications

Mark Masluch

Senior Director, Communications