Welcome to the February 2021’s installment of aircraft of the month!
This month, we will be shedding light on one special Canadian jet: The newest Bombardier Global 5500 wide-cabin aircraft, listing close to USD 45 million.
Bombardier announced the Transport Canada-Type certification of the Global 5500 back in September 2019, and EASA-type certification one month later. Bombardier announced FAA-type certification of the model on December 23, 2019.
The Canadian masterpiece entered service on June 25, 2020, two years after the launch of the model back in May 2018, as the next-step-up from its predecessor, the Global 5000. Built in Toronto and completed in Wichita, Kansas, the first Bombardier 5500 was delivered to its first customer in the United States one month later, on July 23.
The Global 5500, with a slightly wider cabin and longer range, is a direct competitor to Gulfstream’s G500.
Externally, the Global 5500 is 29.5 m long, and 7.8 m high, with a wingspan of 28.7 m and a wing area of 94.8 m2. To guarantee a smooth ride, the jet’s fully re-profiled trailing edge combines both flexibility and refined aerodynamics.
The Global 5500 is not the largest jet in the Global line, as the 7500 still holds that title. However, it can comfortably seat up to 16 passengers in its well-designed customizable cabin (12.41 m long, 2.41 m wide, and 1.88 m high), with a fully accessible baggage compartment and an advanced air management system. In addition, the cabin is equipped with fast in-flight connectivity and an intuitive cabin management system. To guarantee passenger comfort, the cabin is pressurized at low altitude.
The jet’s interior is divided into three basic living areas. The first of which is the club suite, consisting of two sets of opposing modern floating-base Nuage seats, with a solid retractable table stored in the sidewall of each seat, a novel tilt-link system for maximum deep recline, and a tilted headrest for maximum comfort.
The second is the conference suite featuring a large table separating four Nuage seats and a large 4K-bulkhead monitor. The table can be lowered, and bedding can be placed on top to create one large bed.
The last area is the private suite in the back of the plane, customizable depending on customer preferences. The basic configuration includes a 3-seater berthable divan, 2 Nuage seats, and a 4K-bulkhead monitor The baggage compartment of the cabin is accessible at all times.
The jet is also equipped with lavatories, spacious wardrobes, and a generous galley.
Bombardier’s Global 5500 is equipped with updated Rolls-Royce BR710 pearl engines each providing 67.3 kN of thrust, and up to 13% less fuel burn for better operational costs. At a maximum cruising altitude of 15’545 m, it boasts an impressive intercontinental range of 5’700 nm or 10’556 km at an impressive top speed of 0.9 Mach, one of Bombardier’s fastest performers.
The Global 5500 features a modern cockpit with advanced avionics. The Bombardier Vision flight deck features high definition displays as well as W-shaped control yokes for pilots. It is the first to overlay infrared and synthetic terrain imagery for true combined vision, facilitating smooth landing in most challenging conditions, thus improving situational awareness and reducing cockpit overload.
For more detailed information on the Global 5500, click here!
That’s all for this week, peeps…
Until next time…
