First Bombardier Global 8000 Production Aircraft Completes Maiden Flight
The first production aircraft of the Bombardier Global 8000 completed its maiden flight on May 16 from the company’s assembly facility in Mississauga, Ontario, as part of its certification test program ahead of entry into service, expected in the second half of 2025.
During the flight, the crew performed a series of planned tests as part of the flight systems and controls validation protocol. The mission was commanded by pilot Sandro Novelli, with co-pilot Charlie Honey and flight test engineer Bhargav Bhavsar. According to Bombardier, the aircraft’s performance was in line with expectations.
The aircraft will now travel to the Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal, where the interior installation will be finalized. This milestone marks another step in the development of the Global 8000, which Bombardier says aims to "redefine the landscape of business aviation."
The Global 8000 is designed to reach a top speed of Mach 0.94, making it the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde, and it offers a range of up to 8,000 nautical miles, enabling nonstop routes such as Dubai–Houston or London–Perth. It also features a cabin pressurization altitude of 2,900 feet, which Bombardier highlights as a key factor in enhancing passenger comfort and productivity.
“Having this first production aircraft in the air is another major step in the journey,” said Stephen McCullough, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Product Development at Bombardier, who noted the aircraft’s performance on its debut flight was satisfactory.
David Murray, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing, IT, and Operational Excellence, added that the achievement "reflects the dedication and high level of expertise of our engineering, production, and flight teams."
The Global 8000 is an evolution of the Global 7500, which has been in service since 2018 and has logged over 250,000 flight hours across more than 200 deliveries. The new version also promises improved short-runway performance, offering takeoff capabilities similar to those of a light jet.
Among its standout features, Bombardier notes the aircraft will offer four separate living spaces, a dedicated crew rest area, and the longest seating length in its class.
Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline. Base: ROS Origen: RES
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