Bombardier are edging closer to first flight of their new baby – the CSeries CS100 (FTV1), with the engines being powered on for the first time on the 18th July.
Image – Bombardier via CSeries Hub
The engines aboard the first plane are a pair of Pratt & Whitney Purepower PG1500G Geared Turbofans, combined with a Honeywell Auxiliary Power Unit.
The CSeries is taking baby steps, with the next step to progressively increase the amount of thrust used.
The CSeries is running late (around 7 months behind), the first flight is a month behind, pushing its first flight from end of June to July.
Accepted practices indicate that the aircraft must go through a series of system gauntlet testing to simulate the actions of flight on the ground. Subject to that passing, the aircraft will traditionally move onto low and high-speed taxing, rejected take off tests before being signed off for first flight.
The test certificate required by Transport Canada is awaiting approval.
Hopefully, first flight will give the project a real shot in the in arm with more orders for both the CS100 and CS300. The current order backlog is for 177 aircraft.
“rejected take off testes” ??????? ouch!!!
Ooops. Edited.. Although the first does sound painful 😉