A supersonic apartment

BLUE FLUO ISSUE • n°38 • 2024

A SUPERSONIC APARTMENT

Created to cross half the world without stopping, the Bombardier Global 8000 proved to be very fast during flight tests - an exclusive aircraft for a chosen few

by Sergio Barlocchetti - ph. courtesy by Bombardier

Let me make this clear, the day I can pilot this plane will also be the day I’ll be satisfied with my career as flight test engineer and pilot. I daren’t dream of more. During a test flight in 2021 the Bombardier Global 8000 business jet reached a speed of Mach 1.01 (671.2 Kts), at least according to the pilot of the NASA F-18 that was acting as chase plane. In other words, the G8000 flew at over the speed of sound and did so again when testing flight performance using sustainable fuel (SAF). These kinds of speed aren’t obligatory, it’s possible to cruise respectably and with an eye to reducing fuel consumption at Mach 0.92 or even Mach 0.85, which at the typical long-distance flight altitude where the temperature is several tens of degrees below zero, are still above 1.041 km/h. Much faster than the aircraft’s rivals. But that’s not why it’s called the Global 8000 – its name reflects the 8,000-mile range it’s capable of, enabling it to cross the world in a single flight, taking off, example, in Dubai and landing in Houston or leaving the UK and arriving in Australia. It can also use shorter 1,800-metre runways and climb above turbulence to flight level 510, or in other words, altitudes of 15.5 km. Its certified maximum load is 19 seats, but it performs best with a maximum of eight people on board. Its jaw-dropping interiors with huge windows mean that this aircraft is practically a flying apartment with four living spaces. The standard-size kitchen is equipped with a convection and microwave oven and a sizeable fridge. In other words, if you’re lucky

enough to be among the privileged few flying on board the Global 8000 you can employ your favourite chef and give him or her free rein to display their culinary skills. If you have work to do during the flight, the Club Suite and Conference Suite mean you do it in a stress-free environment – the usable interior space measures 16.59 metres in length, 2.44 metres wide and above all 1.88 metres tall, so it’s possible to walk around upright and high heels will present no problems. Passengers will breathe well on board this aircraft – at maximum altitude the cabin air pressure is just over 1,100 metres, and the climatising unit renews the volume of interior air in only 90 seconds. Those who suffer from jet lag have two choices – sleep in the double bed or use the Dynamic Daylight lighting system that helps synchronise the circadian rhythm with the landing time. Development of the 8000 was driven by the demand for longer range expressed by the around 150 owners of the Global 7500, the previous model. Not all of them will move automatically from the older aircraft to the 8000, but for a hire company having a such an outstanding model in its fleet means being able to offer unique travel experiences even over long distances, when excellent WiFi connectivity and comfortable seats aren’t enough to make the length of the flight tolerable. The price is 78 million dollars at launch, but with full specs this can easily exceed 80 million, but that won’t be a problem for those who choose it.

https://businessaircraft.bombardier.com

The Bombardier Global 8000 business jet is practically an apartment with four spaces, a double bed and standard-size kitchen equipped with convection and microwave oven plus a fridge. Large windows allow light to flood the interiors. Those who suffer from jet lag can make use of the Dynamic Daylight lighting system that helps synchronise the circadian rhythm with the landing time