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Technology update
Bombardier enhances its Global Express
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Bombardier Aerospace is currently studying possibilities of enhancing the Global Express's performance.
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The company has already incorporated several enhancements on its Learjet 31A business jet.
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Although the long-range Global Express has already demonstrated good performance compared to many of its competitors, Bombardier Aerospace is currently exploring ways to increase the aircraft's performance even further as part of its plan for delivering continuous improvement. "We are moving forward to explore potential modifications in aerodynamics, performance, weight savings, and increased weight takeoff capability," said John Holding, Executive Vice-President of Engineering and Product Development.
The potential modifications were subject of discussions by Bombardier Aerospace personnel during the performance flight-test program. "Clearly, since it is the only aircraft in its category resulting from a 'clean sheet' design, the Global Express is the ultra-long-range business jet with the best growth potential," said Holding.
The aircraft's performance already includes flying 6500 nmi non-stop at cruise speeds of Mach 0.8 and higher on routes such as New York-Tokyo in about 14 hours. It features a 5620-ft balanced field length at sea level and a maximum operating altitude of 51,000 ft.
The company has already incorporated a series of enhancements on its Learjet 31A. These improvements offer operators better mission flexibility, together with a revised inspection program for several Learjet aircraft models to reduce maintenance down times. The revised inspection program includes:
- an escalation of more than 140 inspection tasks
- increasing the basic inspection cycle from 1200 h to 2400 h
- and moving some environmental tasks, such as corrosion inspection, to a straight 24-month calendar.
Among some of the enhancements are a 700-lb increase in maximum landing weight to 16,000 lb and a 500-lb increase in maximum takeoff weight to 17,000lb. This increase brings the maximum payload with full fuel to 1936 lb.
Other improvements to the aircraft include:
- standard thrust reversers
- a new dual R134A cooling system that increases cooling capacity by 40%
- a standard universal UNS-1C flight management system
- improved winglets for enhanced high-speed/high-altitude performance and handling
- new N1-DEEC engine controls
- an engine trend monitoring system and over-temperature protection
- and a lighter and more reliable dual Attitude Heading and Reference System (AHRS).
Frank Bokulich
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