The fourth Bombardier Global 7000 is on public display for the first time, at NBAA-BACE, held in Las Vegas on October 10-12, 2017. The aircraft on show is the fourth flight test vehicle (FTV4) in the program, The Architect, which has been outfitted and is used to “validate the overall passenger experience”. FTV4 made its first flight on September 28, 2017.
“FTV4, the first aircraft to be furnished with a cabin interior, has a unique purpose in flight validation,” said Michel Ouellette, senior vice president of the Global 7000 and Global 8000 program. “It is confirming the unparalleled comfort and interior design that our customers can expect from this game-changing business jet. The robust ground testing completed on our interior test rig and the upcoming flight validation prepare us for certification of the interiors.”
The FTV4 interior was first validated in a test rig – based on a production fuselage mounted on a pneumatic bed – designed to replicate airframe motions and flight loads. The rig is now being used in the production interior installation process. Eight customer aircraft are currently undergoing final assembly in Toronto, Canada, while interior production is “well underway” in Montreal, Canada.
“Our Global 7000 flight test vehicles continue to undergo rigorous testing at our world-class flight test center in Wichita, Kansas,” said François Caza, vice president, product development, and chief engineer, product development engineering. “Having now flown nearly 900 hours, the aircraft continue to perform extremely well and to exhibit a high level of reliability. Areas of the flight envelope and the performance of the systems, including at extreme temperatures, have been tested. The results show a maturity which is in full support of the planned certification activities.”
The Global 7000 features four living spaces and a dedicated crew suite, Ka-band connectivity, and a wing designed to ensure an exceptionally smooth ride. FTV5, The Masterpiece, will be the final Global 7000 flight test vehicle. Bombardier is targeting entry into service in 2018.
October 10, 2017
