The second flight test
vehicle of Bombardier's Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft program (FTV2) has
completed its initial flight, confirming 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.
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. |