Bombardier has confirmed
that its Global 7000 aircraft flight test program continues to
progress well, with two Global 7000 flight test vehicles currently
flying. Both
flight test vehicles have been demonstrating excellent reliability
accumulating flight hours at a steady pace, as the aircraft prepares
to enter into service in the second half of 2018.
"Our flight
test vehicles continue to show a high degree of maturity in testing,
dispatching twice daily in many cases," said
Michel Ouellette,
Senior Vice President, Global 7000 and Global 8000 Program. "We have
strong momentum in the program right now, and we are on track for
entry into service in 2018. The Global 7000 Flight Test Vehicle 1
(FTV1) completed its maiden flight in November 2016. It was
transferred to the Bombardier Flight Testing Center in Wichita ahead
of schedule and, to date, has achieved approximately 200 flight
hours."
The flight test crew
has also successfully demonstrated FTV1's performance capabilities
by opening the aircraft's flight test envelope to Mach 0.995. Not
only is the Global 7000 aircraft the largest business jet to reach
this high speed, achieving it only 5 months after the start of the
flight test program is an unprecedented milestone. In addition to
its impressive speed and 7,400 nm (13,705 km) range capability, the
Global 7000 aircraft offers unparalleled comfort and an
exceptionally smooth ride, made possible by the aircraft's advanced
wing.
The second Global
7000 Flight Test Vehicle (FTV2), which completed its initial flight
in Toronto on March 4 and shortly after also transferred to
Bombardier's Flight Testing Centre in Wichita, is dedicated to
testing aircraft propulsion, electrical and mechanical systems. |