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Bombardier Global 5000 Sets New Transatlantic Speed Record

Nov. 29, 2007, Montreal, Que. – The high-speed Global 5000 jet set a new speed record on October 21, flying 3,652 nautical miles (6,765 km) non-stop from Berlin to Washington in just eight hours, 17 minutes.

Pictured here on the steps: (L)Rod Lundy, chief pilot, Global aircraft, Bombardier Business Aircraft, (r) Owen Zahnle, co-pilot, Bombardier Business Aircraft. Front row: (L to R) Lars Seumenicht, Rolls-Royce Deutchland, Kristan R.Maynard, National Aeronautical Association, and Eckhard Breuer, Sales Director, Bombardier Business Aircraft.

The Global 5000 business jet departed Berlin's Schönefeld Airport (EDDB) with a three-person crew and a payload equivalent to 12 passengers – a fuel surplus of 1,200 pounds (544 kg) above reserves and seven passengers. National Aeronautic Association (NAA) representative Kristan R. Maynard was on board the fully sanctioned flight, as well a representative from Rolls-Royce Deutschland and Bombardier employees.

The aircraft cruised at Mach 0.85 (907 km/hr) or higher throughout the flight, experienced headwinds of up to 70 knots (129 km/h) and landed at Washington Dulles International (KIAD) with fuel reserves in excess of NBAA IFR requirements.

"The aircraft performed superbly on takeoff from Schönefeld Airport at 10:36 local time and climbed directly to 40,000 ft (12,200 m) then climbed to 43,000 ft (13,100 m) for the oceanic crossing," stated captain Rod Lundy, chief pilot, Global aircraft, Bombardier Business Aircraft, and pilot-in-command on the flight. "This flight clearly demonstrates the Global 5000 jet’s superior speed, range and handling capabilities. We arrived in Washington at 12:53 local time, easily shaving 20-30 minutes from the length of time it would take to make the trip on a commercial aircraft."

This fourth NAA-sanctioned world record performance for the Global 5000 jet represents the fastest time ever recorded for a civil flight between Berlin and Washington, DC. Two of the previous three records were route/distance-proving flights. On July 16, 2004, a Global 5000 aircraft flew 4,816 nautical miles (8,919 km) non-stop linking San Francisco-London in nine hours, 34 minutes, while on October 12, 2004, the same aircraft flew 4,597 nautical miles (8,513 km) non-stop against fierce headwinds linking Dublin-Las Vegas in nine hours, 55 minutes. Both previous records were performed at a speed of Mach 0.85 (562 mph; 904 km/h).

The third was a transatlantic speed record. On June 11, 2005, a Global 5000 jet flew 3,510 nautical miles (6,500 km) non-stop, linking Chicago-Paris in just seven hours, 15 minutes.
“Once again, the Global 5000 aircraft has demonstrated that it is the fastest transatlantic business jet on the market,” said Bob Horner, vice-president, international sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Its payload-range capabilities are simply outstanding, as is its superior short field performance. This aircraft also features the widest and most spacious super-large jet cabin paired with one of the most technologically advanced cabin electronic systems available today.”

The Global 5000 business jet is capable of executing transcontinental missions at speeds up to Mach 0.89 (950 km/hr)*. The benefit of the aircraft's category-leading speed is most evident on non-stop intercontinental flights. Compared to other jets in its class, it trims up to a full hour from long distance routes such as Moscow-New York in nine hours, 29 minutes, Johannesburg-Geneva in 10 hours, Jeddah-Jakarta in nine hours, 53 minutes and Sao Paulo-Madrid in nine hours, 20 minutes*.

The aircraft is now available with the Global Vision flight deck. The new Pro Line Fusion avionics suite is paired with superior design aesthetics from world-renowned design consultancy firm Design Q, to create the ultimate flight control environment, providing Global aircraft pilots with an unprecedented level of situational awareness and comfort.

On Sept. 24, 2007, Lufthansa Technik AG announced it was selected by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) to act as prime contractor for the modernization of the medium-range fleet of the Ministry of Defense’s Special Mission Wing. The BWB has begun negotiations with the Hamburg-based company, as the preferred supplier, with the aim of negotiating the contractual terms for the procurement, fitting out and technical support of two Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliners and four Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft.

About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2007, were $14.8 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com