EASA certifies Bombardier Global 5500, Global 6500 jets

Bombardier’s Global 5500 and Global 6500 business jets have received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification, validating the requirement for the aircraft’s operation in the European Union. This certification comes on the heels of Transport Canada certification and entry-into-service Sept. 30, 2019.

“Obtaining type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency Certification marks one of the final chapters in our very successful development program, and this achievement is a direct result of the commitment to excellence of the highly-skilled employees who worked on the program and our solid collaboration with our suppliers,” said Michel Ouellette, senior vice president, program management and engineering, Bombardier Aviation.

The aircraft went through the rigorous flight-testing program, which was completed at Bombardier’s Wichita, Kansas test center. The Pearl 15 engine, the latest addition to Rolls-Royce’s business aviation engine portfolio, was developed at the Rolls-Royce Centre of Excellence for Business Aviation engines in Dahlewitz, Germany, and was custom-designed with enhanced aerodynamics, blade cooling, and advanced engine health monitoring systems to power the Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft.

The new aircraft build on the success of the Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft by offering 500nm and 600nm of additional range, respectively, coupled with up to 13% fuel burn advantage, lowering operating costs versus smaller aircraft with less range. The Global 5500 aircraft can connect Sao Paolo and Paris, and Moscow and Los Angeles; the Global 6500 aircraft can connect Hong Kong or Singapore and London, and Toluca and Madrid under certain operating conditions.

The aircraft are to make their public debut Oct. 22, 2019, on static display at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, Nevada.