Under perfect weather conditions, Bombardier Aerospace celebrated the successful first flight of its CSeries aircraft this week (Monday), a major milestone in the company’s highly anticipated development programme that will provide operators with an all-new family of aircraft specifically designed for the 100- to 149-seat market segment. The maiden flight marks the start of the CSeries aircraft’s flight-test programme leading up to the first customer delivery, and was also the first flight for Pratt & Whitney’s new Geared Turbofan PurePower engine as part of an aircraft certification programme. Staff in Bombardier’s Belfast factory cheered as the live webcast of the flight, which was screened in the facility, showed the take-off. The Belfast operation is responsible for the design, manufacture and integration of the complete wing for the CSeries aircraft. Bombardier, a Canadian aerospace and transportation giant, is set to invest over £520 million in the CSeries aircraft programme in Belfast, making it the largest-ever single inward investment project in Northern Ireland. It has been estimated that the CSeries programme could generate another 800 jobs for the Belfast facility, with knock-on positive effects for the company’s supplier network on the island of Ireland. The two-and-a-half hour flight of CSeries flight test vehicle one (FTV1) – a CS100 jetliner bearing Canadian registration markings C-FBCS – was conducted under the command of Captain Charles Ellis, chief flight test pilot at Bombardier Flight Test Centre. Capt Ellis was assisted by his colleagues, Capt Andris Litavniks and Andreas Hartono in the roles of first officer and flight-test engineer, respectively. The flight departed from Montréal–Mirabel International Airport at approximately 9:55 EDT and returned at approximately 12:25 EDT. “We couldn’t have wished for a better maiden flight,” said Capt Ellis. “FTV1’s 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 programme.” VALIDATION OF DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT “This is a very proud day for Bombardier and a validation of the CSeries aircraft’s design and development, and of our extensive ground test programme,” said Rob Dewar, vice president and general manager, CSeries Programme, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “This is five years in the making, and 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, 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. The aircraft was greeted by more than 3,000 Bombardier employees, media and spectators on its return to the company’s Mirabel, Québec facility. A total of five CS100 flight test vehicles, all of which are currently in various stages of assembly, will join the flight test programme in the coming months. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, the CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15 per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20 per cent fuel burn advantage, according to Bombardier. With the extra capacity seating option, the CS300 aircraft also offers airlines an average of 4 per cent additional cash operating cost advantage per seat, it has been promised. The CSeries aircraft’s clean-sheet design aims to ensure that the aircraft achieves greatly reduced noise and emissions, and a range of 2,950 NM (5,463 km). The CSeries aircraft will be up to 12,000lbs (5,443kg) lighter than other aircraft in the same seat category and will provide passengers with a widebody cabin environment in a single-aisle aircraft. Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 388 CSeries aircraft, which include firm orders for 177 CSeries airliners. Some 15 customers and lessees have joined the CSeries aircraft programme. Although this falls far short of Bombardier's goal of 300 orders by the time the plane enters service next year, the CSeries’ performance is strong on paper and now that it has taken to the air, it remains to be seen if airlines and rival aeroplane manufacturers will be convinced of its claims of high fuel efficiency, low operating costs and low noise levels.