Inside the Bombardier Global 7500 Aircraft
Inside the Bombardier Global 7500 Aircraft : International firms heavily rely on business jets – and it’s fairly obvious why. Aboard a premium aircraft, company representatives can prepare for crucial events and meetings in complete comfort. With the upcoming release of the Global 7500 aircraft, worldwide transport manufacturer Bombardier promises a business flight experience like no other. Here, we explore what the jet has to offer… Behind Bombardier Bombardier has stood at the forefront of jet construction for over thirty years. However, its story begins way back in 1937, with the creation of the first “snow vehicle”. Built to ease road travel during Québec’s bitterly cold winters, it soon underwent huge development to become a leading snow motor across the world. In 1970, the company ventured into new travel territory, offering premium railway services for the first time ever. It wasn’t long until the firm took to the skies, of course. Since then, it has garnered a wealth of loyal customers, thanks to its high-quality facilities – and it looks set to advance the industry even further… Record-breaking speed Speed is obviously essential when it comes to long journeys, especially if you’re travelling on business. You’ll want to arrive at your destination with enough time to relax before the big meeting or event, after all. Bombardier clearly know the value of using a high, safe speed in the air, as the Global 7500 illustrates. The Jet has already set a speed record for the fastest journey between New York and L.A, which was completed in just under four hours. This is particularly impressive when you consider that a typical flight between the two stops takes over six hours! In addition to speed, the aircraft also boasts a record for the longest flight ever taken between Sydney and Detroit, Michigan. Perks for passengers Speed isn’t the only perk that the Global 7500 offers – it’s designed for comfort and performance in equal amounts. And so, it’s ideal for business travellers. The only business aircraft with four living spaces, it provides an open area for passengers to roam, relax and prepare for their big work event. Not to mention, the jet includes a permanent private stateroom suite, so that travellers can fly in complete luxury. Serving Michelin-inspired cuisine, it’s the ultimate in business aviation. Given its emphasis on customer care and quality, it’s unsurprising that VistaJet will be the first aviation firm to offer flights on the Global 7500 commercially. The company has long been renowned for its excellent services, from its empty leg flights to its wine program. The Global 7500 marks a new era for luxury air travel. With so many technological advances ahead, what does the future hold for this esteemed industry? Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
Boeing CEO Sends a Message to the Aviation Community
We know lives depend on the work we do, and our teams embrace that responsibility with a deep sense of commitment every day. Our purpose at Boeing is to bring family, friends and loved ones together with our commercial airplanes—safely. The tragic losses of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Lion Air Flight 610 affect us all, uniting people and nations in shared grief for all those in mourning. Our hearts are heavy, and we continue to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board. Safety is at the core of who we are at Boeing, and ensuring safe and reliable travel on our airplanes is an enduring value and our absolute commitment to everyone. This overarching focus on safety spans and binds together our entire global aerospace industry and communities. We’re united with our airline customers, international regulators and government authorities in our efforts to support the most recent investigation, understand the facts of what happened and help prevent future tragedies. Based on facts from the Lion Air Flight 610 accident and emerging data as it becomes available from the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accident, we’re taking actions to fully ensure the safety of the 737 MAX. We also understand and regret the challenges for our customers and the flying public caused by the fleet’s grounding. Work is progressing thoroughly and rapidly to learn more about the Ethiopian Airlines accident and understand the information from the airplane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders. Our team is on-site with investigators to support the investigation and provide technical expertise. The Ethiopia Accident Investigation Bureau will determine when and how it’s appropriate to release additional details. Boeing has been in the business of aviation safety for more than 100 years, and we’ll continue providing the best products, training and support to our global airline customers and pilots. This is an ongoing and relentless commitment to make safe airplanes even safer. Soon we’ll release a software update and related pilot training for the 737 MAX that will address concerns discovered in the aftermath of the Lion Air Flight 610 accident. We’ve been working in full cooperation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board on all issues relating to both the Lion Air and the Ethiopian Airlines accidents since the Lion Air accident occurred in October last year. Our entire team is devoted to the quality and safety of the aircraft we design, produce and support. I’ve dedicated my entire career to Boeing, working shoulder to shoulder with our amazing people and customers for more than three decades, and I personally share their deep sense of commitment. Recently, I spent time with our team members at our 737 production facility in Renton, Wash., and once again saw firsthand the pride our people feel in their work and the pain we’re all experiencing in light of these tragedies. The importance of our work demands the utmost integrity and excellence—that’s what I see in our team, and we’ll never rest in pursuit of it. Our mission is to connect people and nations, protect freedom, explore our world and the vastness of space, and inspire the next generation of aerospace dreamers and doers—and we’ll fulfill that mission only by upholding and living our values. That’s what safety means to us. Together, we’ll keep working to earn and keep the trust people have placed in Boeing. Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
Airbus Trials Robots as Vehicles
A collaborative research project involving engineers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s Integrated Manufacturing Group could lead to an entire aircraft wing assemblies being transported by autonomous robots at the Broughton Airbus factory in North Wales. “Supervised trials of the robots have already taken place, and it has been estimated that using them could save the whole-time equivalent of one operator per shift at Airbus, freeing them to work on other tasks and ultimately improving shopfloor productivity,” said AMRC senior project engineer Lloyd Tinkler. “This outcome has led to Airbus exploring opportunities where such robots could be used to optimise processes, including specially adapted versions to pull trolleys with aircraft parts and tooling already in use at the Airbus site.” Started with the developing of a safe automated system for delivering tooling within the facility, the ambitious project could be expanded to further benefit from using small autonomous robotic vehicles on the shopfloor. “This project has been our first trial of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). We enhanced the standard off-the-shelf technology to make it safe and suitable for our factory environment, and we are now working towards its roll-out to other Airbus sites world-wide,” said Amer Liaqat, technology manager at Airbus UK. “We can see the potential to go even further and work with the AMRC to develop autonomous mobile robots for precision assembly tasks such as component positioning and certification. Developing it further, we could see this technology being used to transport an entire aircraft wing between factories at Broughton,” Mr Liaqat added.
Final Four P-8A Poseidon Aircrafts Purchased by the UK
A contract of almost $2.5 billion has been awarded to Boeing to produce 19 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the US Navy, Norway and the United Kingdom. Ten of the aircraft are for the US Navy, four for the UK and five for Norway. The UK intends to procure 9 of the aircraft in total and had already ordered five. This purchase brings the total UK order of P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft up to 9. According to the contract award notification: “The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded a $2,458,707,154 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-14-C-0067). This modification provides for the production and delivery of 19 P-8A lot 10 aircraft to include 10 for the Navy, four for the government of the U.K. and five for the government of Norway. In addition, this modification includes engineering change proposal 4 SilverBlock for the government of the U.K. and Lot 10 segregable efforts consisting of unknown obsolescence, Class I change assessments and obsolescence monitoring. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington (80.6 percent); Baltimore, Maryland (2.6 percent); Greenlawn, New York (2.4 percent); Cambridge, U.K. (1.6 percent); and various locations within and outside the continental U.S. (12.8 percent),and is expected to be completed in March 2022. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy); and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $2,458,707,154 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($1,256,865,203; 51 percent); the government of Norway ($694,971,086; 28 percent); and the government of the U.K. ($506,870,865; 21 percent), under the FMS program.” The first Poseidon will enter service in November this year, with initial operating capability to be achieved in 2020. The UK, the United States and Norway have all signed a statement of intent in 2017 for a trilateral partnership with P-8 Poseidon aircraft to address the ‘changing security environment’ in the North Atlantic. While the statement is relatively vague, the move is seen as part of an effort to coordinate the deployment of the maritime patrol aircraft. This is a move that has been described as essential, due to the relatively small fleet sizes the UK and Norway are to possess. Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
Philippine Airlines Becomes The Latest Operator To Purchase The A350
Philippine Airlines has agreed a deal with Airbus for six A350-900s, with a possible six in future. The news came as Philippine Airlines’ President & COO Jaime J. Bautista spoke at the Singapore Airshow where he revealed the airline will configure its new purchases with a three-class premium layout. The A350-900s will operate on Philippine Airlines’ non-stop routes from Manila to New York City and various other destinations on the USA’s west coast. Philippine Airlines is also beginning new routes to Europe and envisages the planes forming a key part of its plans to develop these routes. The airline operator is aided in its ambition thanks to Airbus’ aircraft being able to travel the 8,000 nautical miles to New York from Manila non-stop. Bautista acknowledged that the aircraft had come out on top after a series of rigorous tests and trials. He also said the A350 provides Philippine Airlines with a modern, technologically advanced aircraft that meets the demanding needs of today’s passengers while tackling the challenges faced by airline operators. The aircraft gives operators “greatly enhanced” efficiency while providing passengers unrivalled “comfort”. He also noted the A350’s range saying it was key to the operator’s decision. Airbus President & CEO Fabrice Brégier said the aircraft would offer great advantages to Philippine Airlines, setting “new standards” with extra long “range capability” and highly fuel-efficient new engines from Rolls-Royce. In fact the aircraft achieves 25% less “fuel burn” and “emissions” than previous models while significantly reducing maintenance costs. The new planes are ideal for operators who need to save costs in order to offer a more competitive offer to customers but passengers will see the benefit. The extra-wide cabin is one thing, offering passengers more personal space with seats in economy class measuring an industry-leading 18-inches. It’s unsurprising that Airbus continues to witness plenty of orders for the aircraft with 777 to date from 41 different customers across the globe.
Airbus opens new A330 Completion Centre in Tianjin, China
Airbus have begun construction on a brand new Completion and Delivery Centre in Tianjin China. This new facility will be the final stop for the widebody A330 aircraft. The location was chosen due to its close proximity to the final assembly line for the Airbus A320 family. The existing facility has been based in Tianjin since 2009 and has been responsible for the building of more than 250 of the single-aisle aircraft to date. Once the Completion and Delivery Centre opens the facility will employ around three hundred personnel with fifty bringing their experience over from the existing Tianjin A320 assembly line and a further seventy will be moving from Airbus’ various European final assembly lines. The A330 Completion and Delivery Centre will be responsible for a series tasks including installation of the passenger cabin, fuselage paint jobs, engine running, production flights, and final delivery to customers. The Airbus A330 aircraft scheduled to be processed at the new Completion and Delivery Centre will first be assembled at the existing final assembly line in Toulouse, France before being flow to Tianjin. The first aircraft off the production line will be delivered to their customers in September 2017. Also moving over to the new facility is Julien Montcru who has served a series of roles at Airbus and brings with him vast experience. He started his Airbus career in the Toulouse design office before taking on his first management role dealing with A330 cabin furnishings. Montcru then moved onto Hamburg where he worked at the Airbus A380 site when the giant airliners had their cabin interiors fitted before their final paint job and delivery. From 2012 he spent three years back in Toulouse where headed up the paint centre for the A320, A330 and A350. The move makes sense for Airbus with China set to become one of the leading countries for air traffic and the company already having a roughly 50% share of the current market having seen a massive growth over there over the past 20 years.
Bombardier’s Challenger 650 Ready For Europe After EASA Certification
Bombardier impressive Challenger 650 has achieved full certification to the European Aviation Safety Agency. One of the world’s leading manufacturers for both the aviation and rail industries, Bombardier’s long-standing success has seen its latest aircraft to enter service now ready and raring to make its European debut this year. Demand is already proving to be higher than initially expected and now, with the certification to the EASA, customers will be queuing up to utilise Bombardier’s latest product. David Coleal, Bombardier’s Business Aircraft division president, said customers already operating the Challenger 650 have expressed delight at its modern design, enhanced comfort and operational productivity. Indeed, the technology incorporated alongside bespoke aesthetics and streamlined ergonomics gives the modern aircraft a refined, high-end level of comfort, backed by the control and convenience of the latest technology (take for example the Cabin Management System which sports large HD monitors, audio-video on demand and bluetooth integration). The aircraft also boasts metal accent trim, angled touchscreen controller, and even wider seats. However, the aircraft doesn’t just look good. Bombardier’s reputation suggests it’ll offer dependability like few others, coupled with very low operating costs when compared to others in its class. Some of its technical enhancements include greater thrust (allowing for shorter take-off distances), capability to take on-board extra payload, and other new technical advancements that allow the aircraft to navigate the challenges of various airports. Depending on what it’s carrying, a typical journey between London and New York or Dubai to London would be easily accommodated by the Challenger 650. The aircraft also boasts Bombardier Vision – a flight deck innovation providing pilots extra comfort and control. The system also reduces pilot workload and increases situational awareness. Customers will even get unrivalled product support. After all, Bombardier’s Challenger 600 series of planes are the most popular jets “by delivery” in the medium category in Europe. Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
Singapore Airshow Lets Airbus Spread Its Wings
Airbus’ global presence shows no signs of abating after it revealed its latest aircraft at the Singapore Airshow. Its significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region was highlighted by its high-profile presentation at the airshow where potential customers could see first hand its new A350 XWB. Indeed, its appearance has won Airbus one new customer already with others expressing interest. The company also took enquiries which will expand its work in other fields with the Asia-Pacific region. It’s a prime area for expansion as the Asia-Pacific region is the world’s real growth market for civil aircraft. The market has therefore been targeted by Airbus as a new base for key customers where it already provides 31% of Airbus’ orders internationally. The Singapore Airshow gave Airbus another chance to show off its latest aircraft innovation – the impressive A350 XWB. The aircraft is proving very popular with customers in the region and enjoyed a successful presentation at the show where event-goers were wowed by its flying capability. Significantly, the A350 XWB enjoys much of its popularity in the region with Philippine Airlines being the latest carrier to order the aircraft. It will order six initially with another six potentially. The carrier’s specification calls for a three-class layout which will provide passengers with non-stop flights to the New York and the USA’s West Coast from Manila. Airbus’ presence in the region is not simply to provide the market with commercial aircraft. It also provides maintenance and offers training centres as well as other support services. The Singapore Airshow enabled Airbus to extend its presence beyond providing planes for passenger routes with an agreement with the Singapore-based SIA Engineering to provide cabin upgrades, general maintenance and modification capabilities to various aircraft including the the super-sized A380 as well as the A350 and other models.
Bombardier and Air Inuit Aircraft Conversion
It has been announced that Air Inuit and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft will be partnering for the passenger-to-freighter conversion of a Q300 turboprop aircraft, with the resulting freighter also including a large-scale door for cargo. As an operator which has worked with the Q300 aircraft for some time now, the organisation has spearheaded the conversion and will also consequently be the launch customer for it. Also, a new STC is to be created under a new license by a third party to further support the conversion. Providing an excellent combination of design and technological advancement, the Q range of aircraft provides a very rugged and performance-led approach best befitting that of short airline journeys undertaken quite regularly. Also as a cost effective range in the Bombardier offering, Q aircraft has successfully achieved a tried-and-tested reputation through use across more than one hundred and fifty operators across the globe. Reputed for its flexibility, Q aircraft are able to adapt to a range of different tasks, including roles not typically associated with airlines such as for maritime patrol, corporate transport and even for cargo service. With over 1,100 of the aircraft already being utilised globally, the quality of the series is clearly defined and proven time over. As Bombardier’s Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services, Todd Young enthused that the conversion may be able to provide a great avenue for the use and benefit with the: Robust, reliable platform that the Q300 aircraft provides. Todd Young also provided thanks to Air Inuit for its assistance in pushing the scheme further towards culmination, bringing both parties one step closer to bringing the amazing new option to the market. As a regional Canadian airline, Air Inuit offers a variety of airline services across its large fleet of some twenty five arctic-adpated aircraft and, like Bombardier, also has a positive industry reputation for offering a high standard and reliable service.
