But amid all the talk of high cruising speeds, one feature common to the entire Bombardier Global family—which also includes the Bombardier Global 5500 and the Bombardier Global 6500 jets—might be overlooked: their ability to take off, approach, and land at the lowest speeds in their class. This significant advantage means the aircraft can navigate some of the planet’s shortest and most challenging runways. Previously, only much smaller planes could access short-length airfields. But the Global jets’ unique attributes mean that these large jets can arrive at and depart from short-field destinations around the world.
Better still is the fact that some of these short airfields are in highly desirable locations, including Gstaad, Lugano, St. Moritz, Martha’s Vineyard, East Hampton and Tortola, among others. The Bombardier Global jet owners can also access with ease the extremely convenient but notoriously hard-to-access London City Airport. Besides the convenience, the slower landing speeds bring another, certainly the most crucial benefit: they increase safety by giving pilots precious additional decision-making time and require less runway length to stop, giving the passengers added peace of mind.
But how are these super large purpose-built business jets able to navigate notoriously difficult airfields—ones that are not typically accessible to other large aircraft? A major key is the Global jets’ distinctive Smooth Flĕx Wing, which incorporates leading-edge slats—not a common feature on a business jet, but a very valuable one. The slat extends from the front of the wing (i.e., the leading edge), effectively changing its aerodynamic profile. This allows the wing to operate at a steeper angle of attack, generating greater lift at lower speeds. The rear of the wing (i.e., the trailing edge) features Fowler flaps, which are designed to deploy in the same direction as the airflow, minimizing drag and noise. These flaps are particularly useful during approach to increase lift at lower speeds. This sophisticated slats-and-flaps configuration allows the Global aircraft to take off over shorter distances (covering less ground thanks to the reduced speed needed to achieve takeoff). Similarly, landing requires less runway (and less braking time and total distance). Together, these two capabilities give the spacious Bombardier Global jets short-field performance that rivals that of much smaller aircraft.
When the Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft displayed its ability to operate out of the small Gstaad Saanen airport, high in the Swiss Alps, Peter Likoray, Bombardier’s Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales, commented: “This demonstration strengthens the Bombardier Global 7500 as a jet that simply has no peer in terms of combining size and real world capabilities. Not only can it access demanding airfields in hot and/ or high locations, it also delivers uncompromising value to customers under any conditions, at any time, without the need for tailwinds, and a signature smooth ride through exceptional wing flexibility.”
In another demonstration, the Global 7500 jet achieved a runway takeoff distance of just 2,130 feet (649 meters, or about a half-dozen football fields or pitches) and an astoundingly short landing distance of 1,380 feet (421 meters). This robust capability greatly broadens customers’ options in terms of destinations.
The Bombardier Global 7500 jet’s Smooth Flĕx Wing is distinct in another important aspect: Not only is it designed to absorb and dampen turbulence, providing Bombardier’s signature smooth ride, it also features business aviation’s first high-speed aileron (the hinged section at the end of the wing), engineered to enhance precision and handling throughout the flight. So whether the aircraft is at ultra-high cruising speeds, climbing, descending, taking off or landing, advanced wing technology optimizes safety and efficiency.
Although the Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft’s wing design plays a critical role in its stellar runway performance, its dual GE Passport engines give it the thrust (close to 19,000 pounds) and reliability required to make it not only a standout in terms of short-field performance, but also the leader in the ultra-long-range segment. The Passport engine, designed specifically for the Bombardier Global 7500, delivers increased efficiency and lower emissions, and was engineered to minimize cabin noise, even when powering the jet to Mach 0.925.
At the end of each journey, the Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft relies on its state-of-the-art, brake-by-wire braking technology to help achieve those exceptionally short landing distances. Even without its ability to access some of the world’s smallest, most remote or most challenging airfields, the Global 7500 jet would be a compelling package. But add to that its custom Nuage seating, a cabin with four distinct, full-size living spaces, circadian rhythm-based cabin lighting and a low cabin altitude to keep you fresh over long distances, and it becomes a logical choice.
In 2025, the best will get even better when the Bombardier Global 8000 jet enters into service. It will fly even farther and faster - but display its unmatched versatility also when going slow.
