Bombardier’s flagship Global 7000 felt the wind beneath its wings for the first time on November 4, completing a two-hour, 27-minute maiden flight from the company’s facility in Toronto. Under the control of captain Ed Grabman, copilot Jeff Karnes and flight-test engineer Jason Nickel, the aircraft departed at 10:25 a.m. local time on November 4, climbed to 20,000 feet and reached the planned test speed of 240 knots. During the flight the crew tested basic system functionality and assessed the handling and flying qualities. The first Global 7000 flight nearly coincided with the 20th anniversary of the first flight of the original Global Express on Oct. 13, 1996. Michel Ouellette, senior v-p of the Global 7000/8000 program, called that anniversary “a huge milestone” that reflects on the successful path the original Global program established. “We’re walking into the next success with the Global 7000 and 8000,” he added. “The first Global 7000 flight is the culmination of an incredible amount of knowledge and experience from our dedicated employees, partners and suppliers,” said Bombardier Business Aircraft president David Coleal. “This is a proud moment for Bombardier and confirms the Global 7000 aircraft program development is on schedule.” Global 7000 The Global 7000/8000 program is to become the crown jewel of the manufacturer’s business aircraft fleets. Bombardier has been taking an “all hands on deck” approach to getting the Global 7000, the first of the program, to market by the second half of 2018. Unveiled in 2010, the Global 7000 has suffered delays as Bombardier struggled to manage cash flow among several research and development programs in recent years. The 8000, meanwhile, is waiting in the wings while Bombardier works to get the Global 7000

Royal Jet, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered, award-winning international luxury flight service provider, has taken delivery of a striking new BBJ 34 seat Boeing Business Jet – the world's first BBJ equipped with KA-band satellite broadband Internet technology. The fully-customised, VVIP aircraft will be followed by a sister corporate airliner due to arrive in Abu Dhabi in a month. The new BBJ, which boasts a front-end bedroom, eight VIP, eight business class and 18 standard seats, arrives in the UAE capital as Royal Jet announced a leadership shake-up with its first managing director appointment going to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan. He will join forces with recently-appointed President and CEO Rob DiCastri who says the award-winning carrier is entering a “new era” where “change is in the air.” With bespoke interiors by noted New York designer Edese Doret and fitted out by Lufthansa Technik, the new BBJ also features Enhanced Vision System cockpit technology. Royal Jet is the first UAE charter operator to receive GCAA regulatory approval to use the thermal imaging camera capability that helps pilots better navigate poor weather conditions. DiCastri says Royal Jet management is now reviewing the company’s strategic fleet plan announced two years ago to bring it up to date with today’s commercial realities. “We are actively looking at the overall size and mix of our fleet and are constantly consulting with our wide range of customers to ensure we have a product and a service which satisfies their diverse needs,” he said.