It seems there are more issues with the Bombardier CSeries, as the first flight of FTV-1 (Flight Test Vehicle 1) has been further delayed.
The manufacture needs more time to complete system integration. According to Bombardier:
“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 finalised and the CSeries aircraft is cleared for its first flight”.
FTV-1 in the Montreal Sun – Image – Bombardier Aerospace
Testing in progress includes a series of gauntlet tests to simulate how the aircraft behaves in the air. However, time is required to mature the systems that have been developed for this new aircraft – time which is seemingly dragging onwards. These steps are needed before the plane is cleared for taxing tests.
The CSeries FTV-1 is now on its 3rd delay – the first was a six month delay, then around the Paris Airshow in June 2013, and now exceeding the July stated time-frame.
Bombardier say that FTV-1 will take to the air in the “coming weeks”. The manufacture is also targeting its first aircraft into service around 12 months after first flight.
It’s an ambitious programme, but its showing pains as they let the systems mature so the plane is fit for fight – not just in the simulator, but in the air.
The engines on-board FTV-1 – Pratt & Whitney Purepower PG1500G Geared Turbofans – have been powered on and have passed initial tests too.
All that remains is for the systems to be declared flight worthy, and then the next stage can begin in this aircraft’s journey.