An entrepreneur who cleaned up on trash is the owner of the first Bombardier Global 8000 off the assembly line at the company’s Toronto factory. Patrick Dovigi, 46, is the founder of Toronto-based Green for Life Environmental, which operates waste and recycling facilities all over North America. He picked up his shiny new plane at a ceremony at the factory on Monday. Until Bombardier hands over another one, Dovigi will have the distinction of flying the fastest business jet in the world. The 8000 is certified by Transport Canada at Mach 0.95. The FAA and EASA have not yet certified the plane but are expected to shortly. “Today’s celebration is a testament to the rigour and dedication of our talented employees and suppliers who have collectively enabled our Global 8000 to set the new standard for speed, range and cabin comfort in the industry,” said Stephen McCullough, senior vice president, engineering and product development. Meanwhile, Bombardier’s chief rival Gulfstream made some news last week with its smallest next-generation business jet.
Gulfstream celebrated a successful first flight of its G300 super-midsize business jet last Friday at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. The G300 is built by Israel Aerospace Industries in Tel Aviv, and the planes are finished by Gulfstream. The G300 was introduced earlier this year and is the smallest of Gulfstream’s latest generation of business aircraft. It offers many of the features of the larger platforms, including large cabin windows and the new Harmony Flight Deck. It seats up to 10 and has a range of 3600 nautical miles.
