Bombardier to use additional CSeries test aircraft

The fifth and final test vehicle for the initial CS100 version of Bombardier’s CSeries airliner has begun flying, but additional aircraft will be used in the test program in a bid to meet the target of certification toward the end of the year.

Aircraft FTV5, the first CSeries fitted with a finished cabin interior, made its first flight from Mirabel, near Montreal, on March 18. A second flight followed March 19. The aircraft is being used to test passenger-related systems.

CSeries flight testing has passed the 1,200 hr. mark, but the total now includes flying by FT7, the first test vehicle for the stretched CS300, which made its first flight from Mirabel Feb.27.

Bombardier has said certification of the CS100 is expected to take around 2,400 hr.

To meet its certification target this year, Bombardier plans to use the first production CS100 in the flight-test program. Now off the final-assembly line at Mirabel, aircraft P1 will be used for function and reliability testing, the final stage of certification, says Rob Dewar, vice president for the CSeries program.

The first CS300 will also be used to fly test points for the smaller CS100, Dewar said, because of the high degree of commonality between the versions. CS300 testing will focus on the differences, including the brakes, fire extinguishers because of the longer cargo bays, and longer wiring harnesses, he said.

Firm orders for the CSeries still stand at 243 aircraft, but total commitments including options are now 603. This includes a letter of intent to purchase 20 CS100s, with options for another 20, for new airline Flymojo announced by the Malaysian government March 17.

(Graham Warwick - ATWOnline News)