The first Bombardier Global 7000 flight-test vehicle (FTV1) is quickly taking form at the company’s plant in Toronto, Ontario. A pair of GE Passport engines has just been mounted on FTV1, Bombardier Business Aircraft announced yesterday, and the aircraft is structurally complete and sitting on its own gear.
In addition to the new engines, installation of the wiring harnesses and functional test procedures have begun on FTV1. A second flight-test vehicle (FTV2) is in final assembly, with major structural components joined, including the rear, center and forward-fuselage sections and cockpit. Two additional flight test vehicles are in various stages of production and assembly, Bombardier said.
Other development milestones involve the aircraft program’s airframe and systems testing: the integrated systems test and certification rig is online and safety of flight testing is now under way; the avionics system integrated test stand rig has been installed at the Toronto site; and the Global 7000 complete airframe static test rig is online.
Meanwhile, as the Global 7000 and 8000 programs enter a phase heavily focused on execution and operations, Bombardier appointed Michel Ouellette as senior vice president of the programs. In his new role, Ouellette will oversee the complete program to ensure that the Global 7000 business jet is successfully brought to market. Certification of the Global 7000 is slated for 2018, with the Global 8000 following by one year.
Bombardier plans to provide further program updates, as well as photos of the Global 7000 prototype, at NBAA 2015.
