Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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Bombardier manufactures a variety of business aircraft models, provides engineering, and aircraft maintenance services.

Matt Thurber

Bombardier’s first production Global 8000 made its inaugural flight on Friday from Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ). The ultra-long-range twinjet will soon undergo completions at Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal in preparation for service entry in the second half of this year.
Bombardier pilot Sandro Novelli was at the controls of the Global 8000, along with copilot Charlie Honey and flight engineer Bhargav Bhavsar. “The systems and aircraft performed as expected” during the flight, according to Bombardier.
With a maximum range of 8,000 nm, the Global 8000 is an evolution of the Global 7500. The newest flagship in the Global family has a top speed of Mach 0.94 and “ultra” high-speed cruise of Mach 0.92, which allows faster flights for up to 4,200 nm. Normal high-speed cruise is Mach 0.90, and “typical” cruise speed is Mach 0.85. Power is provided by two 18,920-pound-thrust GE Passport turbofans.
The jet’s 54-foot 5-inch-long cabin has the longest seated length size in its class, the company said, as well as a cabin altitude of 2,900 feet above FL410, and it can be configured with four living spaces and a separate crew rest area. Sea level takeoff distance is 5,760 feet, and landing distance is 2,220 feet. Maximum operating altitude is FL510.&nbsp;
With fly-by-wire flight controls, the Global 8000’s flight deck is equipped with a Collins Aerospace-based Global Vision avionics suite. Features include four large displays, head-up display with combined vision system (simultaneous overlay of enhanced vision and synthetic vision system imagery), and MultiScan weather radar with windshear detection.
“Having this first production aircraft take to the skies is another important step in this journey that will redefine the business aviation landscape,” said Bombardier senior v-p of engineering and product development Stephen McCullough. “With its low cabin altitude, luxurious and healthy cabin, signature smooth ride, and unparalleled performance capabilities, the Global 8000 is the clear choice for discerning owners and operators who prioritize convenience and flexibility.”

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First Production Bombardier Global 8000 Takes to the Skies

Next steps are completion, then entry into service later this year

The Global 8000’s 54-foot 5-inch-long cabin has the longest seated length size in its class and a cabin altitude of 2,900 feet above FL410. 

First Production Global 8000 Takes to the Skies

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