News
Global 5500 and 6500 timeline update
Bombardier announced its flight test program for the Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft is progressing on schedule, with 70 per cent of flight testing complete. “The response to the Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft has been overwhelmingly positive since their unveiling at EBACE,” said David Coleal, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The program is proceeding to schedule and these exceptional new long-range business jets are on track to enter service in 2019.”
October 15, 2018 By Wings Staff
Bombardier Business Aircraft revealed at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in May that it was growing its Global family with two long-range business jets, featuring a newly optimized wing and premiering exclusive Rolls-Royce Pearl engines. The Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft have more range, larger cabins and a smoother ride than competitors.
Flight testing for the Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft is progressing well, explains Bombardier, with 70 per cent of flight test hours completed at the company’s test centre in Wichita, Kansas, where both the Airbus A220 and the recently certified Global 7500 aircraft underwent flight testing.
“The flight test team feels privileged to execute another program for such superior aircraft,” said Tom Bisges, VP, Bombardier Flight Test Centre and Flight Operations. “The Global 5500 and 6500 aircraft flight test program is proceeding smoothly, and we find that our extensive experience testing the Global 7500 aircraft, as well as the quality of these newest aircraft, allow us to continue to execute on schedule.”
Bombardier explains that the aerodynamic validation of the aircraft’s newly optimized wing, which was re-profiled to further refine Bombardier’s signature smooth ride, is now complete. Interior completions of the first customer aircraft are set to begin this year at Bombardier’s completion facilities.
The Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft have ranges of 5,700 and 6,600 nautical miles, respectively, with top speeds of Mach 0.90 and Bombardier’s smooth ride technology. The Global 5500 aircraft can connect New York to Cairo, and Miami to Moscow; the Global 6500 aircraft can connect New York to Beijing, and Miami to Istanbul.
