Bombardier Global 8000
In May, at the National Business Aviation Association’s European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-EBACE), Bombardier unveiled its new flagship model, the Global 8000—and it wasn’t just a concept, it had already flown. With a pair of GE Passport turbofans first used in 2010 by its stablemate, the 7500, Bombardier projects the 8000 to be the fastest jet on the market, with a top speed of 0.94 Mach. But plans don’t stop there: The OEM is gunning for the longest range as well, at 8,000 nm for a standard passenger load and NBAA IFR parameters.
Bombardier expects a maximum take-off weight of 114,850 pounds, with a full-fuel payload of 2,275 pounds. The 8000 will seat up to 19 passengers in a host of configurations—and at a cabin altitude of 2,900 feet while cruising at 41,000 feet. The airplane’s maximum operating altitude will be 51,000 feet. With a fully loaded airplane, takeoff distance required is projected to be 5,760 feet, and landing distance will be around 2,237 feet, according to specs released by the company. That short-field performance coupled with the extended range should enable city pairs like Dubai to Houston, Singapore to Los Angeles, or London to Perth. On the flight deck, Bombardier’s proprietary Vision integrated avionics suite will provide pilots with a host of display and monitoring options. The fly-by-wire flight control system will enable envelope protection too.
