Bombardier’s CSeries completes first flight
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Bombardier’s new fuel-efficient regional jet, the CSeries, took to the skies for the first time this week.
The maiden flight took off from Montréal’s Mirabel International Airport on 16 September, and lasted 2.5 hours. This marks the start of the CSeries’ flight test programme, leading up to the first delivery which is scheduled to take place in September 2014.
“This is a very proud day for Bombardier and a true validation of the CSeries aircraft’s design and development, and of our extensive ground test programme,” said Rob Dewar, vice president & general manager of the CSeries programme. “Five years in the making, the CSeries aircraft’s first flight is the culmination of an incredible amount of hard work and dedication from our employees, partners and suppliers around the world.”
During its maiden flight, the CSeries reached an altitude of 12,500 feet (3,810 metres) and an air speed of 426 kph. Dewar also noted that “many of our guests commented on the aircraft’s… quiet performance during take-off and landing”.
The CSeries comes in two versions – the CS100, which seats 108-125 passengers, and the larger CS300, which can accommodate 130-160 passengers. It is expected to compete in the short- to medium-haul market with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, as well as rival aircraft from Embraer and COMAC.
To-date, Bombardier has taken orders for 177 CSeries aircraft, with operators set to including Gulf Air, Korean Air and SWISS.
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