Bombardier Global Express

The Global Express is the ultra long-range business jet developed by Bombardier Aerospace. The aircraft has a cruise speed just below sonic level at Mach 0.88 or 0.85 and is capable of using first class or secondary airports and basic short airfields in remote areas. Global Express is certified by European (JAA and LBA) and North American (FAA and Transport Canada) airworthiness authorities.

The Global Express entered service in 1999. The Royal Malaysian Air Force has a Global Express in its fleet for VIP operations and Bombardier Flexjet manages a fleet of Global Express aircraft for its fractional ownership programme.

The Global family of aircraft includes the Global 5000 which entered service in April 2005. Over 294 Global family aircraft have been delivered – 147 Global Express, 87 Global Express XRS and 60 Global 5000.

The Global Express was selected as the aircraft platform for the UK Ministry of Defence Airborne Standoff Radar ASTOR aircraft. First flight of the fully configured aircraft took place in May 2004. The first Sentinel R1 ASTOR aircraft was delivered in June 2007 and it entered into service in December 2008 with the Royal Air Force. The aircraft was operated by Number 5 (army cooperation) Squadron. Two Global Express aircraft are used by the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau for airway calibration.

Bombardier has developed the ultra long-range Bombardier Global Express XRS, which adds a forward fuel tank to extend the range to 11,390km (6,150nm) at Mach 0.85. The aircraft also has a new “zero flaps” take-off ability, which allows access to more “hot and high” airports. The first flight of the aircraft took place in January 2005 and it entered service in December 2005. The Global Express XRS is the current production model.

Global Express flight deck

The flight deck of the Global Express is equipped with a dual electronic flight information system (EFIS) with six 8in by 7in high-resolution CRT multifunction displays, a dual Rockwell Collins digital radio altimeter and standby airspeed altimeters, artificial horizon and heading indicator.

The aircraft’s avionics system is based on the Honeywell Primus 2000 XP II with triple digital air data computers, a Thales Avionics (formerly Sextante Avionique) automatic flight control system, a dual flight management system, a terrain collision avoidance system TCAS II with an electronic ground proximity warning system (EGPWS). Thales Avionics head-up flight display system (HFDS) has been certified for the Global Express. HFDS features a large (40°×26°) field of view and a holographic optical combiner.

Thales Avionics Canada and CMC Electronics (formerly BAE Systems Canada) have developed the Bombardier enhanced vision system (BEVS) for the Global Express. The BEVS, which integrates a 40°×26° Thales head-up display (HUD) and CMC’s SureSight infrared sensor, improves the pilot’s situational awareness in low-visibility conditions and at night. The system received certification in September 2005 and is available as retrofit to the Global Express and as standard on the XRS. The Max-Vis EVS-1000 enhanced vision system is also available for the Global Express.

The communications systems include Rockwell Collins HF and VHF systems, with dual transponders and communications management systems. There is a five-channel selective calling system from Coltech and a Honeywell flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.

The aircraft is equipped with a Honeywell satellite communications unit with a Teledyne Magnastar “office in the sky” data link. The satellite antenna is mounted in the cap of the tailfin.

The aircraft is equipped with a Honeywell Primus colour weather radar. The navigation suite includes a Laseref III triple laser gyroscopic inertial reference system, a global positioning system and distance measuring equipment.

In May 2010, Bombardier received supplemental type certification (STC) for Global 5000, Global Express and Global Express XRS. The certificate, received along with Honeywell, will enable the installation of Primus Elite DU-875 liquid crystal display upgraded versions in all the three aircraft.

In September 2007, Bombardier announced a new Global Vision flight deck for the Global Express aircraft. The Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite includes: four high-resolution 15in diagonal active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD), head-up guidance system (HGS), personalised display information, electronic checklist, maps with graphical flight planning, future air navigation system, controller-pilot datalink communication, MultiScan weather detection system and synthetic vision system.

It also includes the Bombardier enhanced vision system (BEVS). Global Vision was certified with EFVS (enhanced flight vision system) in February 2010. The system will enter service on a Global Express XRS with launch customer London Air Services of Canada in 2011.

Cabin

The 14.73m-long cabin is heated and air-conditioned. An Ultra Electronics active noise and vibration-cancellation system ensures quiet conditions in flight. The cabin can be laid out for 8 to 19 passengers. Customised interior layouts can include office, stateroom or conference-style areas. The baggage compartment at the rear of the cabin is accessible in flight. The port side door at the front of the cabin has airstairs.

The new Global Express XRS has improved cabin pressurisation and an additional two cabin windows, one located fore and the other aft. A new lighting system using light-emitting diode (LED) technology provides more ambient cabin lighting.

Engines

The aircraft has two Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710A2-20 turbofan engines each delivering 14,470lb thrust (65.6kN) at take-off. The engines are rear mounted with de Havilland engine pylons and Bombardier (formerly Shorts) nacelles. International Nacelle Systems developed the hydraulic two petal thrust reversers. The engines have full authority digital engine control (FADEC).

The aircraft has both gravity and pressure refuelling. It carries a maximum fuel load of 19,663kg (20,400kg for the XRS) in integral wing tanks, a centre section tank and an auxiliary tank in the rear fuselage section. A Parker Bertea Aerospace automatic fuel management system balances the distribution of the fuel using Ametek Aerospace fuel flow transmitters.

Lucas Aerospace supplies the electrical systems. Two generators on each engine supply primary power. The Honeywell Aerospace RE220GX auxiliary power unit is mounted in the tailcone. An electrical power management system includes triple logic controlled power centres.

The management system automatically reconfigures the power supply system in the event of an electrical fault or failure and performs load prioritisation and load shedding. Two control display units in the cockpit provide the pilots with the electrical systems status and allow resetting of circuit breakers.

Landing gear

The Messier Dowty International landing gear is tricycle-type and hydraulically operated. Each unit has twin wheels. The landing gear is fitted with carbon brakes and a Goodrich / Hydro Aire brake-by-wire anti-skid system.

Performance

The range of the Global Express is 11,130km and Global Express XRS is 11,390km. The high cruise speed, normal cruise speed and long-range cruise speed of the aircraft are 935km/h, 904km/h and 850km/h respectively. The aircraft has a maximum operating altitude of 15,545m. The landing distance is 814m with balanced field length and minimum ground turning radius being 1,774m and 20.75m respectively.