Bombardier Delivers First Global Express - World's Best
Ultra Long-Range Business Jet Enters Service
JULY 8, 1999
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--Bombardier Aerospace today marked an important
milestone in corporate aviation with the historic delivery of the
first completed high-speed, ultra long-range Bombardier Global
Express business jet aircraft.
The 6,500-nautical-mile (12,038-km) jet, acknowledged to be the
most sophisticated in its class, was officially delivered to
senior executives from AirFlite of Long Beach, Calif., during a
brief private ceremony at Bombardier's new completion center in
Montreal.
"This is the day so many employees across Bombardier Aerospace
have been working towards," declared Mike Graff, president and
chief operating officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "This is the
aircraft that will propel Bombardier into the top position in
corporate aviation."
AirFlite will operate the Global Express on behalf of its parent
company, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, based in Torrance, Ca., with
business activities worldwide. The Global Express is expected to
enter service once AirFlite pilots complete their familiarization
flights.
In addition to this delivery, another 17 Global Express aircraft
are currently being equipped with customized interiors at
Bombardier completion facilities in Montreal and Tucson, Ariz.,
and today's first customer delivery will soon be repeated as
Bombardier technicians continue final preparations for the first
group of aircraft to enter service.
Stated Mr. Graff: "It is an exciting milestone not only for
everyone at Bombardier, but for the entire business aviation
industry.
"It is the crowning achievement for the only aircraft designed
specifically to fulfill the increasingly global requirements of
corporate and government leaders, and for a program highlighted by
unprecedented levels of collaboration and support worldwide.
"The first business jet designed specifically for the global
transport needs of the 21st century is now in active service."
Today's milestone delivery is the latest in a series of market and
performance accomplishments achieved so far this summer. Orders
to date, including this delivery, have grown to 105 units.
Astor selection
At the Paris Air Show in June, the UK Ministry of Defence selected
the Raytheon/Bombardier Aerospace team as the preferred bidder for
its Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) program.
UK Defence Secretary George Robertson announced: "ASTOR is a joint
Army and RAF requirement which consists of new, highly effective
radar systems installed on high-flying Global Express business
jets. It will be a significant step forward for the British Armed
Forces, and indeed for NATO."
Detailed discussions are underway on the contract, expected to be
awarded later this year, following one of the most intensely
competed and thoroughly analyzed multi-mission programs in
business aviation history.
World records
Between May 1 and May 15, a Global Express aircraft demonstrated
its superior performance capabilities by establishing seven new
world records, surpassing previous marks set by competing
aircraft.
Aircraft s/n no.9014 delivered a new world record virtually every
second day, delivering performance on command - without stopping
to wait for favorable conditions. Fully certified by the U.S.
National Aeronautic Association (NAA), the records were for two
speed flights, two challenging airport flights and three ultra
long-range flights. They included:
- Hilton Head-Maui in nine hours, 16 minutes; an example of its
capability to take off from very short runways (4,300 feet) and
still meet long-range mission requirements;
- New York-Tokyo in 13 hours, three minutes; beating the previous
time set by a Gulfstream V by a full 18 minutes; and
- Mexico City-Madrid in nine hours, 43 minutes; shattering a time
recently set on the same route by a Falcon 900EX mark by one hour,
41 minutes.
First to receive JAA approval
On May 7, 1999, the Global Express also became the first ultra
long-range business jet to win European Joint Aviation Authorities
(JAA) type approval - many months ahead of competing aircraft in
the ultra long-range category.
This was followed, on May 26, by Germany's Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(LBA) which became the first European regulatory agency to endorse
the JAA approval. Since then, regulatory agencies from another 14
countries, including the UK Civil Aviation Authority have
followed suit.
The first aircraft in its category resulting from a new "clean
sheet" design, the Global Express had previously received full
approval from both Transport Canada and U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) approval in 1998.
Developed with international partners in a unique risk-sharing
arrangement, the Global Express offers numerous advantages over
competing aircraft in its category and sets new standards in
business aviation. These include the longest non-stop range in
corporate aviation and a top cruise speed that reaches nearly the
speed of sound, as well as the largest cabin of any true corporate
aircraft.
Superior reliability
Bombardier placed a premium on the safety and reliability of the
Global Express and its design, more than any other business jet,
conforms to ETOPS (Extended Twin Engine Operations) standards.
ETOPS requires that each system on the Global Express contain
multiple redundancy and extremely high reliability. For example,
the aircraft is equipped with four independent electrical systems,
three independent hydraulic systems, and three independent and
integrated avionics computers on board. In addition, the flaps
and slats are equipped with dual motors to further improve
reliability.
In February 1999, a Bombardier Global Express successfully
completed a 36-day, 20-city tour across the Southern Hemisphere.
The aircraft conducted both executive and pilot demonstrations in
12 countries throughout Australia and Africa, logging a total of
110 flight hours while posting a perfect score for dispatch and
in-flight reliability.
Superior support
As Bombardier begins delivering the first group of Global Express
aircraft into service, it is guaranteeing a level of support
unprecedented for ultra long-range business jets.
In addition to the usual delivery preparation team at the delivery
centre, each aircraft is being accompanied by a special,
in-service team. Composed of a field service representative, a
maintenance technician and a pilot. These teams will assist
operators in placing the Global Express into routine service and
are prepared to remain with the customer during initial
operations.
Spare parts are already available worldwide through strategic
spare parts depots in Memphis, London and Singapore and at seven
aviation services facilities in the United States and Germany. In
addition, many field service representatives and aviation services
personnel in Bombardier's worldwide service network have received
intensive training.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is the world's
third largest civil aircraft manufacturer with operations in three
countries. Leading the 20- to 70-passenger regional carrier
market, Bombardier Aerospace offers complete families of turboprop
and regional jet aircraft. It has the industry's widest range of
business jets, offering both full and fractional ownership, and
also produces firefighting/maritime mission aircraft. It provides
technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot training to
business, regional airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc. is a Canadian corporation active in the fields of
aerospace, rail transportation equipment, recreational products,
financial services and services related to its products and core
businesses. It operates plants in 12 countries in North America,
Europe and Asia, and more than 90 per cent of its revenues are
generated outside Canada. Bombardier's revenues for its fiscal
year ended January 31, 1999 totalled $11.5 billion (Cdn).
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