Bombardier CSeries Flight Test Vehicle 2’s first flight on January 3, 2014 – Photo: Bombardier Aero
Bombardier Aerospace has confirmed that the Entry-Into-Service (EIS) of their CSeries aircraft is now scheduled for the second half of 2015.
Yesterday’s announcement likely wasn’t a surprise to industry watchers and financial analysts, who have believed that Bombardier’s previous ’œone year after first flight’ EIS of September 2014 was overly optimistic and aggressive. The CSeries is Bombardier’s first ’œclean-sheet’ design in decades, with state-of-the-art fly-by-wire flight controls, along with sophisticated, highly-integrated aircraft systems. Bombardier is no doubt hoping that the new EIS schedule will be looked at as realistic and achievable, given the work to be done.
’œWe are taking the required time to ensure a flawless entry-into-service. We are very pleased that no major design changes have been identified, this gives us confidence that we will meet our performance targets,’ said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. ’œWhile the process has taken more time than we had expected, our suppliers are aligned with the program’s schedule and together, we will continue to work closely to move the program steadily forward.’
CS100 FTV2 on a cold, windy winter day at Mirabel Airport (YMX) – Photo: Bombardier Aero
Mr. Robert Deluce, Porter Airlines President & CEO (center) with his team
after CSeries Flight Test Vehicle 1’s (FTV1) first flight on September 16, 2013.
It’s been over six months since Porter Airlines announced their conditional order to buy up to 30 Bombardier CS100s. In order to finalize the order, Porter needs permission from the City of Toronto to operate the CS100s at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), and has asked for extensions to be added to both ends of the main runway at the waterfront airport. Currently, jets are not allowed to operate from YTZ, and Porter flies Bombardier Q400 turboprops from their YTZ base.
BONUS: Review- Flying Porter Airlines From Toronto to Montreal and Back
On Thursday morning, Toronto’s Deputy City Manager filed a report that analyzed Porter’s requests. Simply, it says that granting approval is premature. Among issues cited, there isn’t yet enough noise or operational performance data on the CS100; runway extension impact and noise modelling has not been completed; and there isn’t a clear direction or plan for YTZ’s expansion, and how it will be funded is in question.
In addition, the agreement banning jets at YTZ expires in 2033, and the report says that the impact of Porter’s request should be considered before this no-jet-noise agreement is extended. Overall, the report recommends that research continue, and that a new report be filed in March 2015. Thursday’s report will be considered by the City’s Executive Committee on December 5th, and depending on the outcome, by the full Council on December 16th.
Bombardier CSeries FTV1 on the ramp at Mirabel Airport (YMX) Photo: Bombardier Aero
UPDATE: September 15th, 7:30 PM ET
Bombardier has just confirmed that the first flight of CSeries Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) will happen tomorrow morning, Monday, September 16th. Winds are expected to be light and the sky mostly clear. Remember to follow me @airchive – I’ll be live-tweeting the event starting at 8:00 AM ET. Bombardier has set up a webcast of the first flight HERE, with pre-flight activities starting at 9:30 AM ET.
PREVIOUS UPDATE: September 14th
Late on Friday, Bombardier announced that the first flight of CSeries Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) is expected to take place this Monday, September 16th. Of course, the test flight team will be looking for optimal weather and aircraft readiness before making the decision to fly. The timing for the flight is expected to be set sometime on Sunday.
I’ll be at Mirabel on Monday to cover this exciting event for our friends at Airchive.com and I’ll be live tweeting on @airchive, so follow along there!
CSeries FTV1 is moving so fast, it’s a blur! High-speed taxi tests are underway.
Photo: Bombardier Aero
On Friday, Bombardier’s CSeries Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) began high-speed taxi testing at Mirabel Airport (YMX). FTV1’s test pilots will run the plane up to 120 knots before putting on the brakes. The tests need to be done with good weather and winds, and on a dry runway.
It sounds like testing is going well, according to Robert Dewar, Vice President and General Manager, CSeries Program. ’œThe aircraft and the flight crew are feeling quite comfortable with the high-speed tests run so far. The crew is reporting that the aircraft is handling beautifully and pending a few more taxi runs, we’ll move into the shimmy testing of the main and nose landing gears whereby the stabilization and vibration, amongst other things, are tested,’ said Mr. Dewar.
Bombardier CSeries Flight Test Vehicle 1 showing off its new paint job.
Photo: Bombardier Aero
UPDATE – Sept. 2: FTV1’s first flight is now even closer. Late last week, Transport Canada awarded Bombardier’s first CSeries plane its Flight Test Permit. This clears the way for FTV1 to begin high-speed taxi tests, and ultimately fly for the first time.
You can read Bombardier’s press release HERE.
ORIGINAL STORY – Aug. 23: Bombardier has dressed up its CSeries Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) in new “house” colors. After all, it’s always important to look your best when you’re going to a big party. And FTV1’s first flight certainly qualifies as a huge event for the CSeries’ program.
The new livery looks quite similar to the design we’ve seen in previous artist conceptions of the plane in the air. It has a white fuselage with blue tail and engine cowlings, and a cute little red tip on its nose. I’m thinking that the red is there to highlight the test plane’s air data probe, which won’t be on production aircraft. Be careful, you’ll put your eye out with that!
