Story ID: 619
Bombardier Global 7000 Makes World Debut
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: World's largest purpose-built business jet is on track for EIS in 2018; eight customer aircraft currently on the production line.
Word Count: 392
With the unveiling of FTV4 (flight-test vehicle 4) at last month's NBAA Convention, Bombardier introduced the Global 7000, claimed to be the world’s largest purpose-built business jet. The clean-sheet, $72.8 million ultra-long-range jet features a four-zone cabin with galley and crew rest suite; 7,400-nm range; and what the company says is the smoothest ride in class thanks to the “optimized” aerodynamic characteristics of the wing.

Michel Ouellette, senior v-p of the Global 7000/8000 program, said that the jet “will meet all its performance targets” and will enter service in next year's second half. Eight customer aircraft are currently on the production line at Bombardier’s Toronto facility.

Among the Global 7000’s performance benchmarks: short-field and high/hot capability, opening London City, Aspen and other challenging airports to the Global; and a typical cruise speed of Mach 0.85 (Mmo is Mach 0.925 and high-speed cruise is Mach 0.90), shortening travel time between city pairs such as New York-Dubai, London-Singapore and Los Angeles-Shanghai, Ouellette said.

The flight-test program will employ five FTVs, each named for its specific mission in the validation and certification program. Four are currently flying.

FTV1 has notched 140 flights in a workhorse role and achieved a level speed of Mach 0.995 early in the program. FTV2 concentrates on powerplant, hydraulics and aircraft systems tests. FTV3, tasked with avionics and electrical systems, reached 51,000 feet on first flight and also conducted an 8,000-nm mission in which it spent three minutes north of 89 degrees latitude—essentially the North Pole. FTV4 is outfitted with a certification interior and is being used as the testbed for all cabin systems and furnishings. It first flew on September 28. FTV5, outfitted with a full production interior and slated to fly shortly, will become the Global 7000 demonstrator.

In total, the four FTVs have accumulated 900 hours of flight time, Bombardier said. The company is not releasing milestone figures on the total number of flight hours certification is expected to require.

Bombardier unveiled the Global 7000/8000 program at the 2010 NBAA Convention. The Global 8000—a shorter variant with longer range—has been scheduled to launch a year after the 7000’s EIS, but at a pre-show briefing David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, said the company “will make a decision [on the schedule for the Global 8000] in the future.”

 

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