Bombardier CSeries 300 maiden flight due this week

Bombardier has announced that it has received a permit to fly the prototype CSeries 300 variant this week for the first time.

So far the test programme for the new regional airliner has focussed on four of the smaller CS100 models. They have so far accumulated over 1,000 hours of test flying, and the manufacturer has said “test results are looking great.”

The CS300 has been given a window of 26-28 February to make its maiden flight, which will be at the Montreal Mirabel Airport facility used to build the aircraft.

Bombardier has said it will announce the test flight timing 48 hours in advance on the CSeries.com website, but maintains that it is subject to weather and other last minute factors.

The aircraft is expected to perform a series of handling and system calibration tests, at a wide range of altitudes and speeds.

“This is an exciting time. The first four CS100 Flight Test Vehicles (FTVs) have flown more than 1,000 hours, test results are looking great and the CS300 aircraft will perform its maiden flight in the coming days,” said Rob Dewar, Vice President, CSeries Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The success of the CSeries aircraft program is testament to the dedication and hard work of our partners, suppliers and in-house teams, and it has also benefitted greatly from the involvement of our customers.”

So far the CS300 variant has orders for 180 units.

You can watch live updates of the test flight at CSeries.com and on Bombardier Aerospace’s Twitter feed.