Pictures: Third Global 7000 flies for the first time

The third prototype Bombardier Global 7000 has flown for the first time.

The aircraft flew a short mission from the airframers Toronto Downsview manufacturing facility.

Registered as C-GLBX and with the MSN 70003, the Global 7000 flew for the first time on May 10. Shortly afterwards it was transferred to Bombardier’s flight test facility at Wichita, Kansas.

It joins the first two prototype aircraft, C-GLBO / MSN 70001 and C-GLBL / MSN 70002.

The third aircraft has been nicknamed “The Navigator”. It will be used to test advanced avionics and electrical systems, and is the first production aircraft to be fitted with a dual head-up display.

“The Global 7000 business jet is a highly sophisticated, state-of-the-art aircraft, and we are pleased that our flight test vehicles have been showing a high degree of maturity,” said Michel Ouellette, senior vice president, Global 7000 and Global 8000 Program. “Our test program’s development and certification schedule is on track, and the addition of our third flight test vehicle is in line with our commitment for certification in 2018 as we accumulate more flight hours.”

Bombardier are working towards certification of the Global 7000 in 2018, with initial customer deliveries short afterwards.