FTV-1 – the first Bombardier CSeries CS100 took to the skies safely today.
FTV-1 with the nosewheel up – Image Bombardier.
The plane took off shortly before 9:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time, and completed an initial sortie of 2 hours and 29 minutes, landing back at Montreal Mirabel Airport safely and intact.
This represents a lot of big steps.
For Bombardier, this is the first clean sheet design there’s been for some time – with the cross-section and wing completely new to them. It also marks the first time the Prat and Whitney Purepower PW1500G Geared Turbofans have actually flown on a plane that the engine class is destined for.
It’s taken Bombardier some time to get to this point, with the plane initially due to fly in 2012. The project has suffered more slippage when the software was not mature enough and delays in manufacturing. The most recent test work up till now has been a series of low and high-speed taxi tests – a prelude to the first flight that occurred today.
The first test flight always marks a major milestone in a new plane project – as it shows prospective customers that the drawings and CGI rendering have now come to life as a real product. Hopefully this will give the project a major push and more orders of the aircraft made.
FTV-1 will be joined by other aircraft during its testing with a total of five CS100s, and two CS300s to complete its programme. The aim is to introduce the CS100 into service 12 months after first flight, and the CS300 six months after CS100 enters service.
Currently, there are 177 firm orders for the CSeries in two configurations:
- CS100 – 63 orders – 110 Passengers
- CS300 – 114 orders – 135 Passengers
Major carriers that have ordered the aircraft include Swiss International Airlines, Republic Airlines and Gulf Air.
The CS100 will compete with the larger Embraer/Sukhoi SuperJet aircraft, whilst the CS300 will go against the smaller Airbus and Boeing narrowbody aircraft, fighting on lower costs to own and operate.
Whilst there is a lot of work to do before the plane actually flies for its customers, for Bombardier – it’s a big day – and well done to the Bombardier Aeronautical for getting the new bird in the air.