Bombardier’s Global 7500 Jets Begin Arriving in Montreal as On-Schedule Ramp-Up Continues and Program Surpasses 2,300 Flight Test Hours

• First production aircraft entered Bombardier’s Global Completion Centre in May
• The industry-defining Global 7500 aircraft is on track to enter service in the second half of 2018, with certification fast approaching
• The Global 7500 aircraft will feature the industry’s best-appointed kitchen, four distinct living spaces and an advanced wing design that will ensure an exceptionally smooth ride

Bombardier announced that Global 7500 aircraft started arriving at the company’s Montreal facilities last month, where high-precision completion work is being carried out on this industry-defining jet. Skilled workers at Bombardier’s state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Dorval, Quebec, have been building and assembling complete interior sets including kitchens, state room beds, dining furniture and Nuage seats for multiple customer aircraft since the centre’s inauguration in 2017.

“As the Global 7500 jet continues to progress towards its entry-into-service, we couldn’t be happier to welcome the first production aircraft in our Montreal facilities,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The Global 7500 interior completion work requires fine craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. Bombardier Business Aircraft is taking its world-class expertise a step further through a new modular completion process leveraging advanced test rigs that ensure all customer aircraft surpass expectations at every level.”

As part of the development program, interiors are validated on the ground in a one-of-a-kind Bombardier-designed test rig that replicates the conditions of flight related to airframe motions and flight loads using a production fuselage mounted on a pneumatic bed. This process allowed for the validation of the interior’s fit and finish well in advance of its actual installation on the Architect, the fourth flight test vehicle. Bombardier is now using this unique tool for the interiors installation process of its production aircraft to ensure enhanced operational efficiency and an uncompromised experience for customers.  

“The Global 7500 aircraft’s production process, specifically the interior completion work, results from years of thoughtful planning to maximize efficiency while ensuring the utmost quality for customers,” said Paul Sislian, Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Our cutting-edge interior test rig allows our teams to conduct all major fit and finish adjustments at our Centre of Excellence, in advance of installation in the aircraft. This process significantly reduces our completions cycle time and will ensure a smooth entry-into-service and an exceptional product right from the start.”

The Global 7500 aircraft is the largest and longest range business jet ever built, with a recently announced increased range of 7,700 nautical miles. Thanks to its sophisticated wing design, the Global 7500 aircraft has also exceeded takeoff and landing performance commitments, leading to a new published takeoff distance of 5,800 feet at full fuel in standard operating conditions. This improved takeoff performance distance is almost 500 feet shorter than the closest, and much smaller, competitor aircraft and enables the Global 7500 aircraft to access airports with shorter runways. The program’s five flight test vehicles are currently active and have completed over 2,300 flight test hours, demonstrating the high level of maturity and reliability of the aircraft.

In May, Bombardier announced that full-scale structural testing of the aircraft on the Complete Airframe Static Test (CAST) was successfully completed. Full-scale fatigue testing is also executing per plan, and Bombardier has successfully completed one lifetime of simulated flights, which exceeds the requirements at time of certification.

Upon entry-into-service later this year, the Global 7500 aircraft will offer a spaciousness that is unique among business jets, with a full-size kitchen and four true living spaces. The Global 7500 aircraft also debuts Bombardier's patented Nuage seat, which was meticulously designed for maximum comfort and will be exclusive to the new Global aircraft family.

In November 2017, Bombardier announced that approximately 1,000 new positions were created to support the interior completion of the Global 7500 aircraft. With more than 80 percent of these positions already filled, Bombardier continues to recruit quality candidates to join its highly-skilled workforce.

Bombardier's Global 7500 aircraft is the recipient of a 2018 Red Dot Award for Product Design.