Montreal Canada, Bombardier has confirmed it will delay by some weeks the first flight of its CSeries regional commercial jet. The Bombardier said: “The highly technical last steps are taking more time than initially anticipated to validate the overall systems and ongoing software integration”. The aircraft’s twice-delayed first flight was expected by the end of July.
“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 finalized and the CSeries aircraft is cleared for its first flight,” explained Mike Arcamone, President of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
In its final testing stage in preparation for first flight, FTV1 is undergoing pre-flight tests including on-ground simulated flight tests to ensure the first aircraft behaves as modeled.
FTV1 was supposed to be flying by the end of July. That was the date given by Bombardier after the previous first flight date at the end of June slipped by a month. Last Wednesday was one week before the end of July, and Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, made the announcement about the further delay.
On July 24 integration of the CSeries aircraft’s auxiliary power unit and Pratt & Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan PW1500G engines were successfully conducted, allowing for testing of the aircraft’s key systems. Bombardier also confirmed the latest software upgrades continue to be successfully completed.
Arcamone stated, “Seeing the first CSeries aircraft power up on the tarmac was a thrilling event. We have now entered the ultimate phase of systems integration and validation on the first flight test vehicle as we submit brand new technology to in-depth tests. 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 finalized and the CSeries aircraft is cleared for its first flight.”
In the last week of June, Bombardier applied to the Canadian aviation regulator, Transport Canada, for permission to fly FTV1. The CSeries may be the most advanced commercial jetliner ever produced in Canada, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Transport Canada is taking their time with the evaluation.
There’s still more engines runs, vibration testing, and low and high speed taxiing to be completed before FTV1 flies.
Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 388 CSeries aircraft, of which 177 are firm orders.
Photo by Bombardier Aero