Bombardier C Series earns Transport Canada Type Certification

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft (Montreal, QC, Canada) announced on Dec. 18 that its all-new CS100 aircraft received its Transport Canada Type Certification following a comprehensive and rigorous testing program, which included more than 3,000 flight test hours, the validation of thousands of test results and the authentication of extensive design and performance data. Obtaining the Type Certificate for the CS100 aircraft paves the way for the delivery and entry into service of the CS100 aircraft with first operator SWISS in second quarter 2016.

“This is an historic moment for Bombardier. Years of dedicated efforts and collaboration culminate today in a very proud moment for many as we celebrate the CS100 aircraft’s Transport Canada Type Certification. I heartily congratulate our teams for their commitment to developing, testing and certifying the CS100 aircraft,” says Fred Cromer, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Bringing to market the only new family of  aircraft developed for the 100- to 150- seat market segment in close to 30 years is a standout accomplishment — the C Series aircraft is now well on its way to opening up new opportunities for operators, while delivering unrivalled economic advantages, performance and environmental credentials. It’s the new reality for the single-aisle market.”

Design Approval Designees (DADs), engineers authorized to act on behalf of the Minister of Transport to approve aeronautical design and make findings of compliance, worked closely with Transport Canada over the last five years planning, testing, and reviewing thousands of technical drawings and documents that ultimately define the C Series aircraft and allow it to be built against this design definition. Once Bombardier demonstrated that the C Series aircraft design fully complied with the safety requirements mandated by Transport Canada, the aircraft was issued its Type Certificate.

“Our highly skilled Flight Test, Ground Test and Engineering teams, along with our suppliers, have successfully designed, developed, tested and certified this best-in-class aircraft — introducing multiple new technologies resulting in the aircraft exceeding the performance targets we committed at program launch,” says François Caza, vice president, product development and chief engineer, Bombardier Inc. and head of Bombardier’s Design Approval Organization. “I applaud our employees’ innovation, dedication and engagement on achieving this key milestone. I am confident we will execute on our next commitments with the same diligence and excellence.”

Bombardier’s CS300 aircraft, the larger model, is on track to obtain its Type Certificate within the next six months as planned. Bombardier will continue to work with Transport Canada to validate the CS100 aircraft’s training syllabus.

“Today we salute everyone that has dedicated years of service and commitment to developing the C Series aircraft and I wish to personally thank all our customers, partners, suppliers and more than 2,300 employees at various Bombardier facilities for their contributions to the program,” says Rob Dewar, vice president, C Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “While we shift this same focus and dedication towards ensuring a flawless entry-into-service alongside first operator SWISS — with first delivery planned in the second quarter of 2016 — we also look forward to continuing demo flights to showcase this magnificent aircraft to airlines and other interested operators around the world.”

Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 603 C Series aircraft, which include firm orders for 243.