PICTURES: Bombardier Global 7000 FTV5 first flight

The fifth Bombardier Global 7000 (msn 70005 / C-GLBG prototype flew for the first time on January 30, 2018.

Local photographer Frederick K. Larkin was at Toronto’s Downsview Airport on the day and sent Corporate Jet Investor a series of pictures of the aircraft.

FTV5 is the final Global 7000 to join the test fleet. The first flight lasted for 4.6 hours. It will be used to validate flight and ground test data.

Bombardier has nicknamed the aircraft ‘The Masterpiece’. 

To date, the test fleet has amassed over 1,300 hours of flight.

“We are proud to have all five Global 7000 test vehicles in flight testing – it’s a testament to the determination and skill of Bombardier’s team,” said Michel Ouellette, senior vice president, Global 7000 and Global 8000 program. “It’s a very exciting time for the program and the team as we enter into the certification phase and get closer to the aircraft’s entry-into-service in the second half of this year.”

Launched together with the larger Global 8000 in October 2010, the Global 7000 will be the largest purpose-built business jet available when it enters service in the second half of 2018.

“With over 1,300 hours of rigorous flight testing completed, the results speak to the aircraft’s maturity, reliability and strong performance,” stated François Caza, vice president, product development and chief engineer, product development engineering. “In addition to flight testing, we continue to successfully progress our ground test program and have now met the full airframe fatigue test milestone as required by authorities for entry-into-service. We will continue to advance the Global 7000 test program to ensure the aircraft meets or exceeds the highest level of safety.”