MARK HANNANT
The Global Express programme has been celebrating major milestones in the past two weeks, says programme director Mark Bouliane.
Bombardier announced receipt of JAA certification for the HUD in the ultra-long range business aircraft and claims the aircraft now has the most rigorously-tested heads-up system available in commercial aviation. The HUD, supplied by Thales, offers the largest field of vision (40º x 26º) of any available in a civil aircraft, says Bouliane.
In an exclusive interview from Bombardier's base in Montreal, he says: "The process of certification has been long. We received Transport Canada certification on 14 September 2001 and FAA certification followed a couple of weeks later. We've now met the requirements of JAA as well.
"We've amalgamated the requirements of all three bodies. It's unique in business aviation."
In an unusual move, the company also this week identified the customer which will take delivery of the 100th Global Express in December this year.
Stanford Finance of Texas is an international banking group with interests across the US, South America and Caribbean. Its experience with Bombardier aircraft through whole ownership and fractional shares was influential in its decision to buy a Global Express, says regional vice-president sales Brant Dahlfours.
From Los Angeles, he says: "Clearly the speed and range of the aircraft fit the requirements of Stanford Finance. I strongly believe that their previous experience of Bombardier, in part through our FlexJet programme and through ownership of a Hawker 700, means they have faith in our products."
Source: Flight Daily News
