Tag Archives: First Flight

Eastern Air Lines to operate its first revenue flight tomorrow

Eastern Air Lines (2nd) (Miami) will start revenue passenger operations tomorrow (May 27). The first flight will be depart from Miami International Airport (MIA) at 10 am (1000) bound for Havana, Cuba.

The airline made this announcement:

After 24 years, 4 months and 7 days, Eastern resumes revenue flight operations tomorrow. MIA-HAV-MIA. Time to re-earn our wings…

Bombardier CS300 successfully completes its first flight

Bombardier (Montreal and Toronto) issued this statement on the first flight of the CS300 yesterday (February 27):

Another major milestone in Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft program was reached on February 27 with the maiden flight of the CS300 airliner. The technologically advanced CSeries aircraft will provide operators with an all-new family of single-aisle mainline jets specifically designed for the 100- to 149-seat market segment.

The CS300 airliner – bearing Canadian registration markings C-FFDK – departed Montréal–Mirabel International Airport at 11:00 EST and returned at 15:58 EST. It reached an altitude of 41,000 feet (12,500 metres) and a speed of 255 knots (470 km/h).

At Bombardier’s Mirabel, Québec facility, some 2,000 Bombardier employees, Board members, partners, suppliers and customers braved frigid temperatures to witness the flight.

Capt. Andris (Andy) Litavniks, who was the co-pilot on the historic maiden flight of the smaller CS100 model on September 16, 2013, was pilot-in-command on today’s milestone flight. Capt. Litavniks was assisted by co-pilot Christophe Marchand and flight test engineers Anthony Dunne and Mark Metivet.

“It was an absolute privilege to fly the first flight of the CS300 airliner and I’m absolutely ecstatic with how well it handled. It’s a pilot’s aircraft and handled exactly as predicted by simulation,” said Capt. Litavniks. “Pilots will find it easy to transition from the CS100 to the CS300 aircraft or vice versa, which will greatly reduce training costs for operators using both models.”

“Our CSeries aircraft program is progressing well, with results from testing as expected or better. The CS300 airliner will now join the five CS100 aircraft flight test vehicles that have amassed more than 1,000 flight test hours to date,” said Rob Dewar, Vice President, CSeries Program. “We are confident the CS100 aircraft will be certified in the second half of 2015, followed closely by entry-into-service. The CS300 airliner is expected to follow about six months later.”

“It was a thrill to see the first CS300 aircraft take to the skies for the first time and I heartily congratulate our teams for this achievement,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We continue to see increased interest from all over the world and as our performance targets are validated, we expect the enthusiasm for the CSeries family of aircraft to grow even more.”

The CS300 aircraft offers the best seat-mile cost in its category, making it the most profitable solution for mid-sized markets with up to 150 passengers per flight, and ideal for a range of routes from short-haul to longer transcontinental markets.

Top Photo: Bombardier. C-FFDK in flight.

Below Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier C Series CS300 (BD-500-1A11) C-FFDK (msn 55001) arrives back at Montreal (Mirabel) after the first flight.

Videos:

Bombardier’s new CS300 is scheduled for its first flight tomorrow

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft (Montreal) confirmed, pending optimal weather conditions, the CS300 aircraft’s first flight is expected to occur on February 26, 2015. The first flight follows last week’s receipt of the Transport Canada flight permit that allowed the first CS300 flight test vehicle to join the flight test program and the successful high speed taxi runs conducted earlier this week.

Update: Bombardier later issued this statement: Due to weather conditions in Mirabel, Québec, the first flight of the CS300 flight test vehicle will not take place on February 26, 2015.

Photo: Bombardier.

Virgin Atlantic’s first Boeing 787-9 makes its first flight

Virgin Atlantic Airways‘ (London) first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered as G-VNEW (msn 40956) and named “Birthday Girl” (above) yesterday (September 23) made its first flight at Paine Field near Everett, Washington.

Top Copyright Photo: Bernie Leighton/AirlinersGallery.com. G-VNEW is pictured at Paine Field preparing for its first flight.

Virgin Atlantic:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Daniel Gorun. G-VNEW arrives back at Paine Field after the historic first flight.

Video: The building of the first Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9:

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 Aerospace is issued a Transport Canada Flight Test Permit

Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal) has announced that the first CSeries aircraft – Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) – has successfully obtained Transport Canada’s Flight Test Permit, thereby clearing the way for its maiden flight, expected in the coming weeks.

This follows a series of pre-flight tests including low-speed taxi runs. FTV1 will now proceed with high-speed taxi runs whereby the aircraft simulates speeds for flight take-off.

“Five years in the making and today, following receipt of Transport Canada’s flight test permit, we are very close to the CSeries airliner’s first flight – a historic moment for Bombardier and a game-changing moment for the industry,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The CSeries aircraft teams have spent the last few weeks completing rigorous exercises to ensure the integrity and maturity of the aircraft are absolutely in check with the flight crew’s requirements. Pending optimal weather, the CSeries aircraft will soon take to the skies.”

Bombardier will provide regular updates on the first flight timing via its website dedicated to the CSeries Aircraft First Flight www.cseriesfirstflight.bombardier.com, where the latest news about the program and its maiden flight will be posted. On the day of first flight, the event will be broadcast live on the site.

CSeries aircraft

Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the 100 per cent new CSeries aircraft family combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, the CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15 percent cash operating cost advantage and a 20 percent fuel burn advantage. With the extra capacity seating option, the CS300 aircraft’s productivity further improves, offering airlines an average of four percent additional cash operating cost advantage per seat. The CSeries aircraft’s clean-sheet design is ensuring that the aircraft will achieve greatly reduced noise and emissions, as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km). The CSeries aircraft will be up to 12,000 lbs. (5,443 kg) lighter than other aircraft in the same seat category and will provide passengers with a best-in-class, widebody cabin environment in a single-aisle aircraft.

As of June 30, 2013, Bombardier had booked orders and commitments for 388 CSeries aircraft that included firm orders for 177 CSeries airliners.

Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier CSeries CS100 (BD-500-1A10) “FTV1” C-FBCS (msn 50001) parked at Montreal (Mirabel) now wears a full color scheme as it prepares for its first flight.

Boeing completes the first flight of the second Dreamliner, ANA’s 787-881 N787BA

ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) PAE

Originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) yesterday (December 22) completed the first flight of the second 787 Dreamliner, designated ZA002 (but actually the pictured 787-881 N787EX, msn 34488). The all-new airplane, which features the 1983 livery of the Dreamliner’s launch customer, ANA (All Nippon Airways) of Japan, took off from Paine Field in Everett, completed a two-hour flight and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle.

Boeing stated “We are delighted that the second Dreamliner is in the livery of our launch customer, ANA,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “We are honored by the airline’s support and look forward to delivering ANA the first production airplane next year.”

Captain Randy Neville was at the controls for the flight, with Chief Pilot Mike Carriker operating as co-pilot. Neville and Carriker took the airplane to an altitude of 13,000 feet (3,962 m) and an airspeed of 200 knots, or about 230 miles (370 km) per hour. The airplane took off at 9:09 a.m. PST and landed at 11:10 a.m. PST.

This is the second of six 787s being used in the airplane’s flight-test program. Each of the airplanes will be used for a specific set of tests, with this airplane focusing on systems performance. Like its predecessor, ZA001, the airplane is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.

In other news, Boeing announced yesterday (December 22) it is taking full control of Global Aeronautica, the midfuselage plant in North Charleston, SC, by buying out its Italian supplier Alenia. In July, Boeing took over the Vought facility at North Charleston (CHS). CHS will be location of the second Dreamliner assembly plant.

The 787 Dreamliner finally flies!

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. The rotation of N787BA at Everett (Paine Field) on the first flight is captured on a very dark and wet day in the Pacific Northwest.

Boeing’s (Chicago, Seattle, Wichita and Charleston) new 787-881 N787BA (msn 40690) took to the air for the first time today (December 15) at Everett (Paine Field) (PAE) at 10:27 a.m. (1027) local time (PST) on runway 34L. The new jetliner landed at Boeing Field-King County (BFI) at 1:33 p.m. (1333) local time.

News link with a video:

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091215/ap_on_bi_ge/us_boeing787_flight_test

Here is the official Boeing press release:

finance.yahoo.com/news/Boeing-787-Dreamliner-prnews-901783763.html?x=0&.v=1