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).
Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal) has announced that Falko Regional Aircraft Limited (Falko) has signed two Letters of Intent (LOIs) in relation to the purchase of up to 24 firm Bombardier CS100 mainline jets.
Falko has recently placed Bombardier CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft with long-time Bombardier customers Mesa Airlines Inc. and Adria Airways, and has also acquired Q400 aircraft on lease to Croatia Airlines.
Bombardier (Montreal) has announced it will cut 1,700 jobs, or around four percent of its staff, as it attempts to preserve cash after costly setbacks in the development of two new jets according to this report by Reuters.
Bombardier plans to eliminate 1,100 jobs in Canada and 600 in the United States.
Bombardier previously announced it would delay the entry of the new CS100 due to undefined issues. The company stated it needed more testing to make sure all of the systems were mature enough for entry into service. This delay was not anticipated by the company, hence the layoffs. The CS100entry-into-service is now scheduled for the second half of 2015 and will be followed by the CS300 entry-into-service approximately six months afterwards.
Copyright Photo: Gilbert Hechema/AirlinersGallery.com. The first CS100 test aircraft, namely CS100 (BD-500-1A10) C-FBCS (msn 50001), is pictured on its first test flight at Montreal (Mirabel).
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 CSeriesaircraft’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 (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 (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.
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).
Air Canada rouge’s (Air Canada) first newly painted Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft touched down on Saturday morning (June 1) at Mirabel airport from Tel Aviv where it underwent an exterior transformation during a scheduled maintenance check. The plane was flown from Tel Aviv by Air Canada pilots Captain David Lywood, First Officer Kurtis Paproski and Captain John Liska (above).
After being stripped to its aluminum base, painters applied primer, two coats of white and finally used massive stencils to spray on the airline’s distinct red and burgundy branding — about 70 gallons of paint were used over nearly eight days to complete the painting. In order to maximize fuel efficiency by adding minimal weight, the least amount of paint possible is applied while achieving optimal coverage. Following a short period flying Toronto-Dublin for Air Canada in June, starting July 1 the Boeing 767-300 ER plane will fly Air Canada rouge’s three European routes between Toronto (Pearson) and Venice/Athens/Edinburgh and Montreal (Trudeau)/Athens.
The aircraft will now undergo minor interior modifications; Air Canada rouge’s aircraft will be among the first in North America equipped to offer streaming inflight entertainment to customers’ own devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc).
It joins two Air Canada rouge Airbus A319 aircraft already at Mirabel airport, which will initially fly Caribbean routes and are also undergoing interior modifications to reflect the airline’s relaxed, stylish approach to leisure travel. With this delivery Air Canada rouge now has 3 of its 4 startup aircraft, with the last painted Boeing 767-300 ER arriving at Mirabel airport early next week. Air Canada rouge introduced its new inflight crew look earlier this week and also announced that its flight crews would be taking customer service excellence training at the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida.
Copyright Photo: Air Canada. The crew of the ferry flight pose in front of Boeing 767-33A ER C-GHPE (msn 33423) at Montreal (Mirabel). C-GHPE is the first AC 767 to wear the rouge colors.
