Tag Archives: bombardier cseries

Bombardier resumes CSeries flight testing

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft (Montreal and Toronto) has confirmed that the CSeries aircraft resumed flight testing with flight test vehicle two (FTV2) taking flight today at Bombardier’s facility in Mirabel, Québec.

The flight on September 7 follows an in-depth review and analysis of the engine-related incident that occurred during stationary ground maintenance testing involving CSeries aircraft FTV1 on May 29, 2014 at the Mirabel facility. Pratt and Whitney alongside Bombardier, has taken appropriate measures to address the issue, including the modification of the engine’s oil lubrication system.

The CSeries aircraft’s entry-into-service remains on track for the second half of 2015.

Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier CSeries CS100 (BD-500-1A10) “FTV1” C-FBCS (msn 50001) is pictured on its first test flight at Montreal (Mirabel).

airBaltic now has 13 Bombardier CS300 jetliners on order

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Air Baltic Corporation AS (airBaltic) (Riga) is the previously announced undisclosed customer that had converted three option aircraft to firm on the original order contract in February 2014. The original order for 10 firm airliners with options for 10 more was finalized on December 20, 2012.

Based on the list price of the CS300 airliner, the three firm aircraft order is valued at approximately $228 million US.

Airbaltic now has 13 Bombardier CS300s on order.

Established in 1995, airBaltic is the main carrier in the Baltic region and operates direct flights out of Riga, Latvia and serves 60 destinations spanning Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States and the Middle East with a fleet of 25 aircraft.

Image: Bombardier.

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Odyssey Airlines (UK) to use crowdsourcing to raise capital and to start operations

Odyssey Airlines (UK) (London-City Airport) further to our previous reports, is a paper airline that is now planning to use crowdsourcing to raise its operating capital in order to begin operations from London City Airport in 2016 with Bombardier CSeries aircraft. The airline was incorporated in September 2010 and its registered director is Adam Scott, born 1979, who is also listed as a director for Calypso Aviation.

As we previously reported, Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal) disclosed that a previously announced firm order for 10 Bombardier CS100 aircraft was placed by Odyssey Airlines. The firm order was announced on June 24, 2011.

The would-be airline describes itself this way:

Odyssey Airlines will begin offering premium nonstop business class services direct from London City Airport to other major cities worldwide from 2016. Planned destinations include convenient and easy to access city centre airports in North America, the Middle East, and beyond.

Steeped in airline experience, the Odyssey team includes executives from other full-service and premium-only airlines. Odyssey will deliver convenient city centre departures, stress-free on ground experiences, nonstop routes, and exceptional service from door to door. Odyssey has been developed specifically with the time-conscious traveller in mind.

Utilizing an innovative seat configuration, Odyssey will operate the more fuel-efficient and greener Bombardier CSeries jet aircraft. The experience will be more akin to that of a private jet, including an all-new interior configuration, windows that are 40% larger than other aircraft, the longest fully flat beds in the commercial market, and many other features that we can’t wait to tell you about!

The Team: CLICK HERE

According to City A.M.:

“A new airline set up by a Goldman Sachs alumnus, which hopes to bring back business class-only flights to the States, is raising up to £5 million through crowd-funding.

Odyssey Airlines was founded by Adam Scott, a former banker who has assembled a team of start-up veterans including some of the founders of Silverjet, whose closure in 2008 was thought at the time to mark the end of such high-end carriers.

The airline has ordered 10 Bombardier CSeries planes, which will enable Odyssey to operate nonstop flights from London City Airport to New York when it launches in 2016. Scott is also sizing up other destinations up to eight hours from the capital.

Other trans-Atlantic operators at London City must stop at Shannon Airport to refuel, as City’s shorter runway and steep takeoff mean heavier aircraft are unable to leave with a full tank.

The Bombardier CSeries was “designed specifically for London City and difficult airports in mind”, Scott said. “In my own experiences of travelling, there’s nothing more frustrating than all the aggravation of going through big hubs, so I’m trying to find solution to those issues.”

The firm has launched a £5 m fundraising drive on the Crowdcube investing platform, which follows last year’s £2.185 m raising through the ThinCats peer-to-peer lending site.

At the time of writing, Odyssey has attracted investment of more than £252,000, taking it well on the way to its minimum Crowdcube goal of £1m. No word yet on the identities of the 32 early investors.”

The Bombardier CS100 has a successful first flight

Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal) yesterday (September 16) had a successful first flight of its new CS100 airliner. The company issued this statement:

Under perfect weather conditions, Bombardier Aerospace celebrated the successful first flight of its CSeries aircraft, a major milestone in the company’s highly anticipated development program that will provide operators with an all-new family of aircraft specifically designed for the 100- to 149-seat market segment. The maiden flight marks the start of the CSeries aircraft’s flight test program leading up to the first customer delivery, and was also the first flight for Pratt & Whitney’s new Geared Turbofan™ PurePower engine as part of an aircraft certification program.

The historic flight of CSeries flight test vehicle one (FTV1) – a CS100 jetliner bearing Canadian registration markings C-FBCS – was conducted under the command of Captain Charles (Chuck) Ellis, Chief Flight Test Pilot, Bombardier Flight Test Center. Capt. Ellis was assisted by his colleagues, Capt. Andris (Andy) Litavniks and Andreas Hartono in the roles of First Officer and Flight Test Engineer, respectively. The flight departed from Montréal–Mirabel International Airport at approximately 9:55 EDT and returned at approximately 12:25 EDT.

“During its maiden flight, CSeries FTV1 reached an altitude of 12,500 feet (3,810 metres) and an air speed of 230 knots (426 km/h). In-flight tests included flap and landing gear retractions and extensions; in-flight maneuvers that included a simulated landing; and early validation of the flight control system. Additionally, we’re also delighted that many of our guests commented on the impressive and quiet performance during takeoff and landing,” added Mr. Dewar.

The first CSeries aircraft was greeted by more than 3,000 Bombardier employees and Board members, customers, partners and suppliers, upon its return to the company’s Montreal Mirabel, Québec facility, where the final assembly line for the CSeries aircraft program is now under construction.

A total of five CS100 flight test vehicles, all of which are currently in various stages of assembly, will join the flight test program in the coming months.

Top Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. CS100 (BD-500-1A10) C-FBCS (msn 50001) departs from YMX on its successful first flight.

Video:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Rockwell Collins. A view of the CS100 cockpit. Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion^® avionics and Primary Flight Control Computer (PFCC) played a key role in the successful first flight of Bombardier’s CSeries commercial aircraft. Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion is featured on 16 aircraft platforms ranging from turboprops, light jets, intercontinental business jets, and commercial aircraft to military tanker and special missions platforms. The scalability of Pro Line Fusion is unmatched in the industry.

Pro Line Fusion for the CSeries aircraft, designed with five 15.1-inch diagonal LCD displays, provides an open architecture that enables extensive situational awareness capabilities, comprehensive integration with aircraft systems such as Rockwell Collins’ MultiScan™ weather radar and optional single or dual Head-up Display (HUD), and a growth roadmap to future air space requirements. Performance-enhancing capabilities that Pro Line Fusion will bring to the CSeries aircraft include RNP AR 0.1 and Category IIIa/b autoland, which couples with Rockwell Collins’ PFCC for Bombardier’s fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system. Rockwell Collins’ PFCC provides an enabling platform to execute complex aircraft control laws, optimize aircraft fuel efficiency, improve passenger safety and enhance overall passenger ride comfort.

Bombardier’s first CSeries remains on schedule for its first flight later this month

Bombardier (Montreal) has reported to Reuters its new CSeries airliner is on schedule for its first flight later this month from Montreal’s Mirabel Airport. The company will report on new orders at the Paris Airshow which runs from June 17-23.

The Bombardier CSeries is a family of narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range jet airliners. The 110-seat CS100 and the 130-seat CS300 are the two models being marketed. These were initially named C110 and C130, respectively.

This new CSeries jet competes with the Boeing 737 Next Generation (737-600, 737-700), Airbus A318 and A319 and Embraer ERJ 195. Bombardier claims the Cseries will burn 20% less fuel per trip than these competitors.

Read the full report from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema. The first CSeries, the pictured CS100 (BD-500-1A10) registered C-FBCS (msn 50001) dubbed “FTV1” (Flight Test Vehicle 1), was rolled out of the Mirabel factory in this green primer paint and is being prepared for its first flight later this month (please click on the photo for the full size view).

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Porter Airlines to announce expansion plans today

Porter Airlines (Toronto-Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport) is expected to make a major announcement today on expansion. There is some speculation in the media the announcement will include an order for up to 30 Bombardier CSeries jetliners. The Wall Street Journal reported Porter Airlines has signed a letter of intent (LOI) for 12 CSeries 100 planes, seating 100 to 125 passengers, with options to buy another 18. If the carrier plans to operate jets from the downtown airport it is likely to cause an uphill battle over noise and a longer runway. The downtown airport has a long history of being opposed by some neighborhood groups. This CSeries jetliner would need a longer runway at Bishop. Porter may decide to use the new aircraft on other routes.

Read the full report from The Toronto Star: CLICK HERE

Image: Porter Airlines.

According to the airline, “Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, is located on an island in Toronto Harbour, just offshore of the city’s downtown business and tourism districts. The airport is connected to the mainland by modern ferries carrying passengers across a modest 121 metre (400 ft) gap, often noted as the world’s shortest scheduled ferry run. As Porter’s main operating base, Toronto City Airport provides unrivalled urban accessibility; whether you’re on a quick same-day business trip or escaping for a weekend.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport, formerly known as Toronto City Centre Airport or the Toronto Island Airport, is operated by the Toronto Port Authority. The airport opened to flights in 1939.”

Top Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema. Porter currently operates the quiet DHC-8-402 (Q400) turboprop. DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GLQR (msn 4278) arrives at Montreal (Trudeau) on a flight from Toronto.

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