Sunday, October 17, 2010

Bombardier Aerospace bets on big new business jets.

Bombardier Aerospace is adding two large business jets to its Global series of aircraft — one capable of carrying eight passengers non-stop to New York from Mumbai, India, the other boasting what the company says will be the largest cabin in its class.



The Global 7000 and Global 8000, featuring new wing designs and new General Electric engines, will join the Global 5000 and Global Express XRS in the lineup Bombardier introduced in 1996, the Montreal-based plane maker said Saturday.



"By extending this great aircraft family, we are once again offering a business jet travel experience that is unmatched and ahead of its time," said Steve Ridolfi, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.



The Global 7000 is to enter service in 2016, with a cabin designed for 10 passengers that the company said will be 20 per cent bigger than the current industry leader, and a non-stop range of 13,500 kilometres. The Global 8000, to follow in 2017, will have a range of 14,600 kilometres, "farther than any other business jet," Ridolfi said.



Both planes are to have a top cruising speed of just over 900 km/h.



The new wing design will "significantly optimize aerodynamic efficiency," Bombardier said, while next-generation GE TechX 16,500-pound-thrust engines will provide fuel-economy and emissions improvements.



Other features will include windows 80-per-cent larger than on current Global aircraft, a baggage hold accessible during flight, a lie-down crew rest area and a sizable galley.



Bombardier did not provide an estimate of the cost of developing the Global 7000 and 8000 or indicate prices for the aircraft.



It noted that the specifications are approximate, as the program "is currently in the development phase and as such is subject to changes in family strategy, branding, capacity, performance, design and/or systems."







Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/10/16/bombardier-business-jets.html#socialcomments#ixzz12ahHrJ2Y