The successful first flight of the new Bombardier CSeries on the morning of September 16, 2013 will have further opened the eyes of network planners across the globe to the potential of the new aircraft, which is set to enter commercial service in late 2014 or early 2015. To date Bombardier Aerospace has only secured 177 firm orders for the aircraft from ten customers, but executives remain confident that this figure will be almost doubled to 300 by the time the jet enters operation.
The CSeries project makes a big step from Bombardier’s commercial aviation roots in regional turboprop and jet equipment and represents the arrival of a real competitor to Airbus and Boeing in the short-haul arena. The two aircraft family includes the CS100 which will seat 110 passengers and the 135 seat CS300 with capacity for 135 passengers with the current orderbook showing 63 commitments for the smaller version and 114 orders for the larger variant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byMIlLKJjFI
The current customer list includes airBaltic, Gulf Air, Korean Air, Malmo Aviation, PrivatAir, Republic Airways and Swiss European Airlines, start-up carrier Odyssey Airlines and lessors Ilyushin Finance and Lease Corporation International. Alongside the 177 firm orders these customers also hold options for a further 131 aircraft.
For many of these customers the aircraft is likely to be used to replace older generation aircraft but they will also be able to take advantage of the type’s 2,950 nautical mile range to push the flight envelope and potentially bring new network options. The type’s excellent short-field performance also means it will be certificated to use short runway and performance impaired airports such as London City and both Swiss European Airlines and start-up Odyssey Airlines have suggested they will be used from the Docklands’ facility, the latter even suggesting that it could use them on transatlantic operations.
The successful first flight of the aircraft, like many programmes before could act as the catalyst for uncertain carriers to make the final decision to place new orders and senior executives at the manufacturer have revealed that Air Canada and Alitalia are both airlines viewed as possible customers for the aircraft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNJ8jfB4Oac
Another airline that has already tentatively signed up to the programme is Canadian regional operator Porter Airlines. Should it proceed with its deal it will represent a massive change to the airline’s business strategy as it looks to introduce new connections from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to destinations across the US and the Caribbean, using the aircraft to its full potential. The main problem… getting the green light to fly the jet aircraft from the Toronto airport.
The carrier announced in April its intent to acquire 30 CS100s but the deal hinges on the aircraft meeting noise and performance specifications outlined by Bombardier in its prospectus. Porter has already revealed a controversial plan to lengthen the existing runway at Toronto City by 168 metres at both ends into the water to accommodate the aircraft. Earlier this month, Porter introduced a second proposal to extend the runway by 200 metres in both directions, which, according to Porter, would result in less noise by enabling the jet planes to use less power for take-off.
“We have determined that the CS100 airliner with a 107-seat configuration is the ideal aircraft to operate from our home base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and will make it possible for Porter to open up new destinations, such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Florida and the Caribbean,” said Robert Deluce, president and chief executive officer. “Bombardier has developed an environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art aircraft that will have a comparable sound level to our existing quiet Q400 turboprops, and offer passengers wider seats, larger windows and more baggage space.”
The historic inaugural flight of CSeries flight test vehicle one (FTV1) – a CS100 bearing Canadian registration markings C-FBCS – departed from Montréal’s Mirabel International Airport at approximately 9:55 EDT returning at approximately 12:25 EDT. “The performance of the CSeries aircraft was very impressive! We couldn’t have wished for a better maiden flight,” said Captain Charles (Chuck) Ellis. “FTV1’s state-of-the-art flight deck was responsive and comfortable, and the aircraft handled exactly as expected. Overall, we had a very productive first flight and an excellent start to the flight test program.”
During its maiden flight, CSeries FTV1 reached an altitude of 12,500 feet (3,810 metres) and an air speed of 230 knots (426 km/h). In-flight tests included flap and landing gear retractions and extensions; in-flight manoeuvres that included a simulated landing; and early validation of the flight control system. A total of five CS100 flight test vehicles, all of which are currently in various stages of assembly, will join the flight test program in the coming months.
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