10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Bombardier BD-700 Global Express

The Bombardier Global Express is a twin-engine jet with a large cabin that started seeing use in 1998 and has continued seeing use to the present day. Primarily, the plane is known to interested individuals for being a business jet. However, it is interesting to note that it has seen use in various other capacities as well, which says a fair amount about its worthiness. Currently, Bombardier Aerospace is in the process of launching new versions of the Bombardier Global Express, which boast new features that are meant to enable them to keep up with their competitors.

1. Started Up in 1991

Bombardier Aerospace started in on what would become the Bombardier Global Express in 1991. Said effort moved along at a rapid pace, which is why the initial announcement could be made in October of 1991 while a full-scale mockup of the plane’s cabin was avaialble at the NBAA convention in September of 1992.

2. Test Flights in 1996

By October of 1996, the Bombardier Global Express could perform its initial test flight. Four prototypes put in a total of more than 2,000 hours, which were sufficient for the Bombardier Global Express to receive the type certification from Canadian authorities and their counterparts in 1998. In this manner, the Bombardier Global Express entered service.

3. Produced in Toronto

For the most part, the manufacturing for the Bombardier Global Express happens in Toronto, which is one of the economic centers of Canada. However, it is interesting to note that the product receives its final completion at one of three sites, which can be found in Montreal, Savannah, and Cahokia.

4. Subsidiaries Play Important Roles

It should be mentioned that Bombardier Aerospace has three subsidiaries that are involved in the Bombardier Global Express. First, Canadair is responsible for manufacturing the nose of the plane. Second, Short Brothers is responsible for manufacturing some important components such as the horizontal stabilizer. Third, de Havilland Canada is responsible for the manufacturing of certain components as well as putting the plane together.

5. Has One External Supplier of Note

With that said, there are external suppliers involved as well. The most prominent of these external suppliers is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which is responsible for manufacturing the wings as well as manufacturing the central fuselages of the planes.

6. Has Seen a Reduction in Production

In 2015, Bombardier Aerospace made a choice to reduce the production numbers of the Bombardier Global Express, which was of course, in response to a fall in interest in the plane. In part, this was because of slowing economies. However, it should be noted that there were geopolitical considerations in certain markets such as Brazil and China that proved consequential as well.

7. Has One of the Biggest Cabins for Business Jets

The Bombardier Global Express can claim to have one of the biggest cabins that can be found on a business jet. In more practical terms, this means that it can accommodate somewhere between 12 and 16 passengers in the three sections that make up its cabin.

8. Can Travel Intercontinental Ranges without Refueling

It is interesting to note that the Bombardier Global Express is capable of traveling intercontinental ranges without having to stop somewhere to refuel. In fact, it is capable of traveling most two points on the world map in a single trip, though of course, there are exceptions to this rule.

9. Global 5500 and 6500 Have Been Announced

Naturally, there are various versions of the Bombardier Global Express. Currently, Bombardier Aerospace has announced both the Global 5500 and the Global 6500, which are expected to start seeing use towards the end of 2019. Both versions come with a number of improvements, with examples ranging from improved wings for better speed to improved fuel efficiency for reduced operating costs.

10. Has Seen Military Use

Speaking of which, it is interesting to note that some examples of the Bombardier Global Express have been modified so that they can be put to use by various militaries for various purposes. For example, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force has used it for surveillance purposes. Likewise, the United States Air Force has used it to carry systems that are important for battlefield communications.