The first of two Bombardier Global Expresses ordered by Qatar Airways (Chalet C32) is flying at Farnborough, crewed by Bombardier's ace demo pilots Bruce Robinson and Derrick Campbell. Robinson told ShowNews his flight routine is patterned after the Global Express aerial ballet performed during the 1998 Farnborough Air Show by Peter T. Reynolds, former head of Bombardier experimental flight test.
With a demo flight take-off weight of about 55,000 pounds, Global Express's dual 14,750-pounds-thrust BR710s will provide a sporty thrust-to-weight ratio, promising an entertaining routine. But SBAC raised the minimum demo flight altitude over the runway to 600 feet AGL, Robinson said. And air show pilots must stay above 1,000 feet AGL outside the airport fence. So, plan to look up - way up - for best viewing of the Global Express.
