Bombardier’s Global 5000, s/n 9127, has been taken to its certification ceiling of 51,000 feet and testing of all systems, including auto-pilot, has been successfully completed.

As of mid-September, the aircraft had crossed the halfway mark in its flight test programme, accumulating over 160 hours during 58 flights. Transport Canada has recently completed its initial evaluation of the aircraft to include all systems testing and CAT II certification.

First flight of Global 5000 s/n 9130, the second and final aircraft in the flight test programme, is scheduled to take place this December.

Thereafter, it will be equipped with a full production interior at the company’s Montreal completion centre before entering flight testing for environmental control system validation, and for interior function and reliability testing.

Type certification of the aircraft to regulations from Transport Canada, the US FAA and the European JAA

is on target for the first quarter of 2004. Aircraft s/n 9130 is on schedule to enter service as a corporate demonstrator in the fourth quarter of 2004.