Bombardier has powered on the GE Aviation Passport engines on its Global 7000 business jet, and says it is on target to fly the ultra-long-range type in the fourth quarter of this year.

Global 7000 serial number 70001 – the first of four test articles that are in various stages of production – is registered as C-GLBO and will make its maiden sortie from Bombardier’s Downsview, Toronto facility before heading to Wichita, Kansas to begin its flight test campaign.

The engine power-on event comes around six months after the US Federal Aviation Administration certificated the 16,500lb (73kN)-thrust Passport, for which the Global 7000 is the only in-development host platform to date. The engine was also selected by Bombardier for its 7,900nm (14,600km) Global 8000, but the programme has since been put on hold.

The Global 7000 programme was launched in 2010, but a series of development challenges with the clean-sheet model – including a decision by Bombardier in 2015 to redesign its wing – have delayed its schedule by over two years. The 12-seat flagship is now scheduled for service entry in late 2018.

Priced at $73 million, the Global 7000 is projected to have a maximum range of 7,300nm and a top speed of Mach 0.925.