Bombardier has announced the entry into customer service of its
new flagship business jet, the Bombardier Global Express XRS jet.
The first aircraft departed Bombardier's Global completion center
on November 25, 2005 and European launch customer, Transneft, an
oil transportation management company, accepted the second aircraft
on December 6, 2005.
Launched in October 2003, the new Global Express XRS business
jet delivers a combination of speed and range that is unmatched by
any other aircraft in its category. At a cruise speed of Mach 0.88,
the aircraft can fly Frankfurt-Beijing in eight hours and 41
minutes and Moscow-Tokyo in eight hours and 22 minutes.
"We are impressed by the superb cabin, outstanding performance
and sophistication of the new Global Express XRS," said Sergei
Grigoriev, vice-president of OJSC AK Transneft.
"The aircraft's superior range and comfort are key to meet our
regional and intercontinental mission requirements."
Ahead of the originally scheduled entry into service date of
first quarter of 2006, these Global Express XRS aircraft deliveries
highlight the continued success of the Global aircraft platform and
represent the fifth major program milestone this year.
- January 16, 2005, first flight of the Global Express XRS
business jet
- April 18, 2005, first Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft entered
customer service
- August 11, 2005, Bombardier Enhanced Vision System certified
for use on the Global Express business jet by Transport Canada. The
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration granted its approval on August
26 followed by the European Aviation Safety Agency on September
16
- August 26, 2005, 150th Global aircraft entered customer
service
"The Global Express XRS aircraft superior cabin size, speed and
range combination make it the preferred choice for international
operators," said Jahid Fazal-Karim, senior vice-president, new
aircraft sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft.
Bombardier claims that the Global Express XRS cabin offers 28
per cent more cabin volume and 45 per cent more floor space than
its closest competitor. Designed to provide a highly productive
working environment and deliver ultimate comfort, the cabin
features a 6-foot, 3-inch (1.91 m) stand up height, and a
three-compartment configuration.
Cabin ambiance is achieved through the addition of two cabin
windows, along with enlarged window reveals, providing a 183 per
cent increase in unrestricted viewing area and ambient lighting.
Light emitting diode lighting technology is featured throughout the
cabin and passengers and crew will enjoy the improved cabin
pressurization, allowing for a 4,500-foot cabin altitude at flight
level 450 (FL450) and a 5,680-foot cabin altitude at FL510 - the
lowest of any commercial aircraft.
Also standard on the Global Express XRS business jet is the
Bombardier Enhanced Vision System (BEVS), which reduces the risk of
controlled flight into terrain, runway incursions at night or
during low visibility conditions and increases overall depth
perception in difficult operating conditions and/or at unfamiliar
airports.