Bombardier Aerospace management confirmed this week that the company’s new 100-149-seat, single-aisle CSeries aircraft’s overall integration is progressing well; however, the highly technical last steps are taking more time than initially anticipated to validate the overall systems and ongoing software integration. First flight is expected to occur in the coming weeks.
“While the process has taken more time than we had expected, we are pleased with the results and are very comfortable taking more time to ensure the required integration is finalized and the CSeries aircraft is cleared for its first flight,” Mike Arcamone, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, was quoted in a press release.
“Seeing the first CSeries aircraft power up on the tarmac was a thrilling event. We have now entered the ultimate phase of systems integration and validation on the first flight test vehicle as we submit brand new technology to in-depth tests,” Arcamone added.
According to the company press release, the integration of the CSeries aircraft’s auxiliary power unit and Pratt & Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan PW1500G engines on the first flight test vehicle (FTV1) is running smoothly, allowing for testing of the aircraft’s key systems. Also, the latest software upgrades on the aircraft continue to be successfully completed.
The FTV1 is undergoing pre-flight tests, including aircraft in the loop testing (ACIL) where the aircraft is “flown" on the ground in a simulated flight environment. This will be followed by low- and high-speed taxiing.
Activities with Transport Canada to obtain the Flight Test Permit for FTV1 are progressing steadily and the permit is also expected in the coming weeks.
Bombardier has booked commitments for 388 CSeries aircraft, which includes 177 firm orders.
"We need a first successful flight, but also a successful flight test program leading us to the complete certification by Transport Canada," Bombardier spokesman Marc Duchesne told a reporter for the Canadian Press.