Tag Archives: FTV1

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.

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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.

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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