Celebrations marked the recent arrival of a new Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft to the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J., where FAA representatives welcomed the aircraft into their research and development program.

The arrival of the special mission Bombardier Global 5000 jet brings to 11 the number of Bombardier aircraft in the FAA fleet, which already includes Challenger 604, Challenger 601 and Learjet 60 business jets. The FAA's new Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft, one of the most advanced and capable civil aircraft being built today, will serve as an airborne research and development laboratory. Midcoast Aviation in St. Louis, Mo., designed and installed a unique interior to accommodate a wide range of future special mission work stations.

The exceptional payload capacity and endurance of the Bombardier Global 5000 were two key factors in the FAA's decision process. In addition, the aircraft's cockpit systems and wing design are highly compatible with the wide range of leading-edge systems and technology that the agency routinely develop and test.

"The FAA now flies models from all three Bombardier business jet families, which clearly reflects its confidence in the superior quality and performance of our aircraft," said Derek Gilmour, vice-president, government and special mission aircraft sales, Bombardier Aerospace.

With its sizeable fleet, the FAA is a leader in operating highly specialized multi-mission aircraft resulting in safer commercial air travel. Delivery of the new Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft to the FAA demonstrates the strength of the Global platform for special mission needs for government agencies worldwide. The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) currently operates two Global Express aircraft for flight inspection and airways calibration within Japan, while the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF) will operate five modified Global Express aircraft in its Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) program.

Two features of the Bombardier Global 5000 jet make it particularly well suited to missions such as navigation systems testing and certification: eight independent power sources capable of providing the electricity needed for electronic monitoring equipment; a total usable volume of 1,882 cubic feet (53.29 cu. m) and unrestricted access from the start of the forward lavatory to the end of the pressurized compartment can accommodate an array of special research equipment.

Launched in February 2002, the Bombardier Global 5000 is a high-speed intercontinental business jet capable of flying non-stop from continental Europe to central North America at Mach 0.85 with eight passengers and three crew. To date, Bombardier has manufactured over 170 Global aircraft. The company delivered its 150th Global aircraft into service, a Bombardier Global 5000, in August 2005.

FMI: www.bombardier.com