Assembly of First Flight Test Vehicle for Bombardier CSeries Aircraft Underway

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 15, 2012) -

- Wings being joined to static test airframe

- A video is available at http://ow.ly/etTZp

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the cockpit and all fuselage sections for the CSeries aircraft's first flight test vehicle (FTV1) have arrived at Mirabel, Québec, and that the assembly of FTV1 is in progress. Additionally, the first wings for the all-new CSeries aircraft are now being mated to the test airframe that will be used during the Complete Airframe Static Test (CAST). Bombardier also announced that testing of the avionics, electrical, flight control, fly-by-wire, hydraulic, landing gear and wiring systems for the CSeries aircraft, as well as virtual flights, are progressing steadily at Mirabel on 'Aircraft 0*' − the on-the-ground Integrated Systems Test and Certification Rig (ISTCR) for the CSeries aircraft.

Located at the company's Experimental Test Facility in St-Laurent, Québec, the CAST is designed to demonstrate the static strength of the airframe and show compliance with certification requirements. The Mirabel facility will be the production site for the CSeries aircraft and the assembly process will include a fully automated moving line using the latest lean manufacturing principles.

"The CAST, FTV1 and 'Aircraft 0' are all key elements in the testing and development of the CSeries aircraft and we are delighted with the progress on each of these three test platforms, said Rob Dewar, Vice President and General Manager, CSeries, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Aircraft 0 is permitting us to validate the CSeries aircraft's systems in an efficient, on-the-ground setting that allows us to work seven days a week and 20 hours a day. Our findings will allow us to optimize the time spent in the flight test program. The integrated systems tests on 'Aircraft 0' are designed to mitigate risks and provide the necessary reliability before first flight. To date, tests have shown no unexpected results and all is going as planned."

With regard to the wings for the CSeries aircraft, Mr. Dewar commented: "Subsequent to the extensive research and test program at Bombardier Aerospace Belfast, which was used to optimize the final production design for weight and performance for the wings, the CAST will be used to confirm their static strength along with that of the other components of the airframe."

About the CSeries aircraft wings

The CSeries aircraft wings were built at Bombardier's new, state-of-the-art 600,000-sq.-ft. (55,742-sq.-m) manufacturing and assembly facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is responsible for the design, manufacture and integration of the advanced composite wings for the CS100 and CS300 jets, including all flight control surfaces and high-lift systems.

The use of resin impregnation has enabled the manufacturing of larger and more complex composite structures in the aviation industry. Bombardier Aerospace Belfast has been at the forefront of that manufacturing revolution, developing and patenting its unique Resin Transfer Infusion (RTI) process that is now being used in manufacturing the primary structural components of the wings for the CSeries aircraft. The use of composites in such a large structure as the wing provides weight savings, but additional benefits to customers include fewer inspections and therefore lower maintenance costs, thanks to the corrosion resistance properties and fatigue strength of the composite material. The composite manufacturing process being employed at Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast also permits a high degree of accuracy and aero smoothness to minimize drag and therefore reduce the CSeries aircraft's fuel burn.

The advanced technology, carbon-fibre wings for both the CS100 and CS300 aircraft have an approximate area of 1,209-sq.-ft. (112.3-sq.-m) and a span of 115 ft. 1 in. (35.1 m). While some of the internal parts for the wings of the two models will be different, they have the same aerodynamic profile.

During the CAST, the wing and other components of the airframe will be subjected to a series of load cases - representing flight manoeuvres, landing, take-off and other in-flight and on-ground conditions − to test the strength of the airframe. For selected load cases, internal cabin pressure will also be applied when simulating in-flight conditions. Data collected 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.

About the CSeries aircraft fuselage sections and cockpit

Bombardier Belfast manufactured the centre fuselage for FTV1, while the forward and aft fuselage sections, as well as the cockpit, were supplied by Bombardier's St-Laurent facility. The rear barrel was supplied by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned aviation industrial entity, China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC).

As in the production of the wings for the CSeries aircraft, Bombardier has capitalized on its expertise in composites technology in the development of the airliner's aft fuselage. For the carbon-fibre aft fuselage, including the pressure dome, the company is utilizing Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) techniques. Bombardier's adaptation of AFP technology, which is also utilizing robotic technology, has benefited from the largest collaborative aircraft structures demonstration project initiated by Canada's National Research Council to advance AFP use in the aerospace industry.

Bombardier is employing a brand new moving line in manufacturing the cockpit for the CSeries aircraft at its St-Laurent facility. The line has been designed using lean manufacturing principles in order to ensure safety for the company's employees, enhance product quality and provide flawless execution for on-time delivery.

About CSeries aircraft

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.

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. Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 352 CSeries aircraft.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we posted revenues of $18.3 billion USD. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to editors

Photos relating to this release are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com and http://ow.ly/etUgU. A video is available at http://ow.ly/etTZp.

Exterior images and other information on the CSeries aircraft are available at: www.cseries.com

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.

* "Aircraft 0" is pronounced "Aircraft Zero."

** The CSeries aircraft is in the development phase. All data and specifications are estimates, subject to changes in family strategy, branding, capacity and performance during the development, manufacture and certification process. All performance references have been estimated based on a 500-nm North American environment and comparisons are to in-production aircraft.

Bombardier, CS100, CS300, CSeries and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.