During testing, strain gauges will be used to measure
and record up to 8,000 parameters at defined locations
on the airframe. Data from the strain gauges will be
monitored by Bombardier's stress engineers, as well as
by the partners and suppliers that are involved in the
development of structural components for the CSeries
aircraft. Bombardier also recently announced that the
company is now conducting virtual flights with "Aircraft
0"* the on-the-ground Integrated Systems Test and
Certification Rig (ISTCR) for the CSeries aircraft at
Mirabel, Québec. The avionics, electrical, flight
control, fly-by-wire, hydraulic, landing gear and wiring
systems are all commissioned, and systems integration
and communication have been successfully demonstrated.
Other rigs being used during the ground test phase are:
the Engineering Flight Simulator (ESIM) designed and
built by CAE and now being installed at the Mirabel
ground testing facility; the avionics Systems
Integration Test Stand (SITS) and the Flight Controls
Integration Lab (FCIL), which are already commissioned
at Rockwell Collins' and Parker Hannifin's facilities
respectively; and the Interior and Environmental Control
Systems (ECS) rig which is being completed at Mirabel.
Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the
100 per cent new CSeries aircraft family combines
advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven
methods to meet commercial airline requirements in 2013
and beyond. 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. The CSeries aircraft's
clean-sheet design will permit the aircraft to achieve
greatly reduced noise and emissions, as well as superior
operational flexibility, exceptional airfield
performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km)**. The
CSeries aircraft will be up to 12,000 lbs (5,443 kg)**
lighter than other aircraft in the same seat category
and will provide passengers with a best-in-class,
widebody cabin environment in a single-aisle aircraft.
Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 352
CSeries aircraft. The order book includes firm orders
for 138 CSeries airliners from Braathens Aviation (five
CS100 and five CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG
(30 CS100 aircraft), Korean Air (10 CS300 aircraft),
Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and
three CS100 aircraft), PrivatAir (five CS100 aircraft),
Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), an unidentified
major network carrier (10 CS100 aircraft), an
unidentified European customer (10 CS100 aircraft) and a
well-established, unidentified airline (three CS100
aircraft). The CSeries aircraft program has also booked
options for 124 aircraft and purchase rights for 10
aircraft from these customers. In addition, the CSeries
aircraft program has achieved a conditional order placed
by an unidentified customer for five CS100 and 10 CS300
airliners, as well as three letters of intent: for up to
30 CSeries aircraft from Ilyushin Finance Co; for up to
15 CS300 aircraft from Atlasjet; and for up to 20 CS300
aircraft from airBaltic.
The 13 customers that have joined the CSeries
aircraft program - nine with firm orders - include
major network carriers, national carriers, premium
airlines serving city centre airports, a low-cost
airline, leasing companies and a full service
provider to airline partners.
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