Bombardier ups Global 5500 range
Bombardier has eked out a further 200nm range for its new Global 5500, ahead of its entry into service later this year. With the additional range, the aircraft can now fly for a maximum of 5,900nm.
“We are thrilled to offer this extended range to our customers,” said David Coleal, president, Bombardier Aviation. “The rigour and innovation behind our Global 5500 aircraft design and test program have allowed us to deliver enhanced performance without compromise. Not only are we standing by our commitment of certifying and bringing to the market an exceptional aircraft on time, we are exceeding expectations along the way.”
Bombardier introduced the Global 5500 alongside the Global 6500 during the 2018 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Global 5500 is a development from the Global 5000 and includes the first application of Rolls-Royce’s new Pearl engine. The Pearl 15s that power the Global 5500 are designed to fit directly into the same space in the engine nacelles of the Global 5000, which helped reduce the development costs of the Global 5500.
The Pearl 5s burn 13% less fuel than the BR700 series engines that power the aircraft that the Global 5500 replace.
Bombardier says that at Mach 0.85 the Global 5500 can now fly 700nm further than its closest and smaller competitor. The aircraft recently received its Type Certificate from the Canadian authorities, with European and US approvals expected to follow shortly.
The larger Global 6500 entered service at the end of September 2019.
