Page 16 - AAA APRIL - MAY 2017 Online Magazine

FeAtUre BUSINESS JETS
BUSINESS JETS
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Turning the Corner

The business jet market is expected to recover from 2018 as new models begin to enter
service
By Atul Chandra

it HAs Been A toUgH PAst FeW YeArs are key to the company’s future. Bombardier systems, including propulsion, electrical
for business jet manufacturers who have Business Jets is to grow its revenue to US$10 and mechanical systems. “Our flight test
been buffeted by strong headwinds created billion by 2020 and the Global 7000, which is vehicles continue to show a high degree of
by the economic downturn and resulted scheduled for entry into service in the second maturity in testing, dispatching twice daily
in a decline in the sales of business jets. half of 2018 is slated to generate US$3 billion in many cases,” said Michel Ouellette, Senior
A market recovery is now forecast by the in revenue by that time. Investments are also Vice President, Global 7000 and Global 8000
airframers to commence from 2018 onwards needed to be made for the programme as it Program. “We have strong momentum in
and strong market demand is important for completes developmental testing and enters the program right now, and we are on track
business jet manufacturers as a number of the production phase and Bombardier states for entry into service in 2018. The Global
new and important aircraft are types are that the Global 7000 will require a US$350 7000 Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) completed
soon to enter service. Canadian airframer million increase in investment year on year its maiden flight in November 2016. It was
Bombardier delivered 163 business jets for the flight test programme and vehicles transferred to the Bombardier Flight Testing
in the full year 2016, spread across 51 and to cater for the start of production and Center in Wichita ahead of schedule and, to
Globals, 88 Challengers and 24 Learjets and the associated ramp-up. The maiden flight date, has achieved approximately 200 flight
reported revenues of US$5.7 billion in 2016. of the first Global 7000 flight test vehicle hours.” FTV1 has already seen its flight test
Bombardier says that it will look to deliver one (FTV1) took place in November 2016 and envelope expanded to Mach 0.995, making
approximately 135 business jets this year and the second prototype FTV2 took to the air in the Global 7000 aircraft the largest business
achieve a revenue of US$5.7 billion. Including March 2017. FTV1 is being used to test basic jet to reach this high speed. The advanced
all its businesses, Bombardier plans to grow system functionality and assessment of the wing design on the Global 7000 aircraft allows
its revenue from US$16.5 billion to US$25 handling and flying qualities of the aircraft, it to optimise speed, range and control for an
billion by 2020 and two airplanes; the new while FTV2 which has been named, “The exceptionally smooth ride, steep approach
Global 7000 along with the C Series jetliner Powerhouse,” is being used to test aircraft capability and short field performance. The
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