PHOTOS: Bombardier completes historical first flight of CSeries aircraft

It was celebration time for Bombardier Aerospace yesterday, after the first flight of its much-awaited CSeries aircraft was successfully completed.

With perfect weather conditions, the inaugural flight departed from Montréal–Mirabel International Airport at approximately 9:55 EDT and returned at approximately 12:25 EDT.

I’ve included a couple of photos and a video on this page, which show Bombardier’s CS100 jetliner in the air, bearing Canadian registration markings C-FBCS. For more images, you can view an entire photo gallery on my Facebook page – click here to visit.

The historic flight was conducted under the command of Captain Charles Ellis (Chief Flight Test Pilot, Bombardier Flight Test Centre), who was assisted by Captain Andris Litavniks and Andreas Hartono in the roles of First Officer and Flight Test Engineer, respectively.

“The performance of the CSeries aircraft was very impressive! We couldn’t have wished for a better maiden flight,” said Captain Ellis. “Flight test vehicle one (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 programme.”

The first flight marked the beginning of the CSeries flight test programme, which will lead up to the first customer delivery. 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.

“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 program,” said Rob Dewar, Vice President and General Manager, CSeries Programme, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “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 first CSeries aircraft was greeted by more than 3,000 Bombardier employees and Board members, customers, partners and suppliers, upon its return to the company’s Mirabel, Québec facility, where the final assembly line for the CSeries aircraft programme is now under construction.