More of Everything You Buy a Global Express For...

At NBAA yesterday, Bombardier Aerospace introduced the new Bombardier Global Express XRS, an improved version of their flagship business jet aircraft.

The Bombardier Global Express XRS does everything the brilliant Global Express does, even better, offering greater levels of cabin comfort and technology to both passengers and crew, while connecting more cities faster than any other business jet.

"The Bombardier Global Express XRS, like the Bombardier Global Express, will continue to set the standard in the ultra long-range business aircraft market, combining the most versatile, stately and advanced business jet cabin with incomparable performance and technology," said Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "There is no compromise with this jet and it reflects, once again, Bombardier's commitment to provide our customers with the best business jet aircraft in the world."

Improved Performance

Chief among the aircraft's performance improvements are increased range at high speed, improved takeoff capabilities and a new, fast refuelling technology. The addition of a forward fuel tank in the wing/body fairing, which adds 1,486 pounds of useable fuel, will help carry the Bombardier Global Express XRS longer distances at higher speeds than any other business aircraft in its class -- 6,150 nautical miles at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85, and 5,450 nautical miles at Mach 0.87.

A new zero flaps takeoff capability will allow Bombardier Global Express XRS operators to depart from "hot and high" airports at higher temperatures and with a greater fuel load, reaching more cities from more airports around the world.

The XRS also features a new, fast refuelling technology that cuts refueling time by a third. Even with the added fuel, the XRS can go from "gasping" to "burping" in 33 minutes. Made possible by software upgrades to the fuel computer along with some structural adjustments, Bombardier expects that refuelling the Bombardier Global Express XRS will save 15 minutes.

Enhanced Vision is standard.

Bombardier's newest Global Express will include the Bombardier Enhanced Vision System (BEVS) as standard equipment. Announced at last year's NBAA, the BEVS will reduce the risk of Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) and runway incursions at night or during low visibility conditions; and it will increase overall depth perception in difficult operating conditions and/or at unfamiliar airports. The heart of the BEVS is the second-generation SureSight I-series EVS sensor from CMC Electronics Inc., integrated with the Thales Avionics Heads-Up Display which offers the widest field-of-vision in corporate aviation. Comprehensive flight testing will continue this fall and winter. Expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2005, the BEVS system will allow Bombardier Global Express XRS operators to take advantage of new U.S. FAA regulations that increase airport accessibility.

More comfort, from many enhancements:

The new cabin of the Bombardier Global Express XRS features several ergonomic improvements including increased cabin pressurization, the addition of two windows, an enhanced floor plan, and a larger storage volume. Bombardier Global Express XRS passengers will enjoy superior comfort thanks to an improved cabin pressurization that allows for a 4,500-foot cabin altitude at flight level 450 (FL450) and a 5,700-foot cabin altitude at FL510. (The company says this is the lowest cabin in business aviation.) An upgraded optional humidification system is also available.

Windows added, too: superior cabin ambiance is also achieved through the addition of two cabin windows, one located fore and the other aft, each providing up to 40 per cent more natural light in the vestibule area of the forward cabin, depending on a passenger's seating position. In addition to more natural light, the cabin also features the latest in Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting technology. This new LED system is more reliable and versatile than traditional lighting, and contributes to a superior cabin ambiance.

The Global Express XRS floor plan offers several enhancements including a full galley on the port side, a crew area with overhead storage on the starboard side. For charter operators, the crew area is newly certified for non-stop flights of up to 12 hours -- two hours more than the current allowable maximum. To complement these cabin enhancements, the Bombardier Global Express XRS will provide up to 15 cubic feet of additional aft storage volume, an easier-to-tailor overall galley volume, as well as more overhead storage in the crew area.

The Bombardier Global Express XRS is scheduled to enter service in early 2006. The list price is approximately $45.5 million U.S., for a typically-configured aircraft.

FMI: www.bombardier.com