The second flight test vehicle (FTV2) of Bombardier Business Aircraft’s Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft programme has concluded its initial flight, ensuring the aircraft type’s entry to service by the second half of next year.

During the four hour 28 minute flight, which took off from Bombardier’s facility in Toronto, Canada, testing was performed on the FTV2’s aircraft propulsion, electrical and mechanical systems.

The flight also tested the aircraft ascending to a height of 43,000ft, validating the vehicle’s performance at high-altitude.

Bombardier Global 7000 and Global 8000 programme senior vice-president Michel Ouellette said: "The successful flight of the first flight test vehicle (FTV1) in November 2016 paved the way to the smooth flight of FTV2 this past weekend.

"The Global 7000 business jet is expected to provide non-stop services between London and Singapore, as well as from Dubai to New York and other locations."

"We are focused on meeting the programme’s development and certification schedule and, once again, we have demonstrated our ability to deliver results through the hard work and dedication of the highly skilled teams working on the programme."

Featuring four living spaces and a dedicated crew rest area, the Global 7000 business jet is expected to provide non-stop services between London and Singapore, as well as from Dubai to New York and other locations.

Bombardier product development vice-president Francois Caza said: “We now have a flight test vehicle dedicated to testing the aircraft’s systems. Data from FTV2 will supplement the successful results we have already obtained from test rigs, including the integrated systems test and certification rig (ISCTR) and, from the extensive flight testing of FTV1 to date.”

In November last year, Bombardier conducted the maiden flight of its first flight test vehicle (FTV1) of the Global 7000 aircraft programme.

Image: Second Bombardier Global 7000 flight test vehicle takes to the skies. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.