Jul 24 2013

Bombardier delays CSeries first flight to August 2013

CS100 On Ramp

CS100 On Ramp

Bombardier announced on July 24, 2013 a further delay of the maiden flight of the CSeries aircraft. This, the third such delay, was accompanied with a note that the flight flight is expected in the coming weeks, no later than the end of August 2013.

Bombardier indicated that the prototype aircraft was in its final stages of testing ahead of the first flight, but “highly technical” last steps were taking longer than anticipated. It also indicated that a Flight Test Permit from Transport Canada was expected shortly.

In June 2013, Bombardier said it needed more time for additional software upgrades and the first flight for the CSeries program would occur by the end of July. The first delay, due to an unspecified supplier problem, occurred in 2012.

Jul 21 2013

Sukhoi Superjet Incident at Reykjavik

Sukhoi Superjet 100 Tail Number 97005 Incident at Reykjavik

Sukhoi Superjet 100 Tail Number 97005 Incident at Reykjavik

On July 21, 2013, at approximately 5 AM local time, there was an incident at Keflavik International Airport with Sukhoi Superjet 100 tail number 97005. The aircraft was conducting CAT IIIA certification trials when the aircraft struck the runway with its landing gear in the up position.

There were five crew onboard for the test and all evacuated the aircraft when it came to a stop on the runway. One crew member was slightly injured during the aircraft evacuation.

According to a report by Sukhoi, all aircraft systems were functioning normally at the time of the incident. Sukhoi also reported that damage was minor to the airframe and repairs would be made, the aircraft to be returned to the project’s testing program as soon as possible.

Jul 17 2013

ILFC firms order for Embraer E2s

ILFC LogoEmbraer announced on July 17, 2013 that ILFC firmed an order for 50 Embraer E2 aircraft. The order is for 25 Embraer 190-E2s and 25 Embraer 195-E2s.

ILFC originally announced a letter of intent at the Paris Air Show in June 213 and the order also has options for an additional 25 Embraer 190-E2s and 25 Embraer 195-E2s. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2018 and be completed by the end of 2023.

Jul 08 2013

Mitsubishi plans final assembly of first MRJ90

Mitsubishi Regional Jet

Mitsubishi Aircraft announced that it plans to start final assembly of the first MRJ90 in Nagoya, Japan within two to three months with the aim to have the first flight of the aircraft by the end of 2013. This target will need to be met in order to meet the planned first delivery of the MRJ90 to launch customer All Nippon Airways by the end of 2015.

The testing phase of the program plans for the first aircraft MSN 10001 to conduct basic flight characteristics, possible expansion of the altitude and airspeed envelopes, major systems and runway performance.

The second aircraft, MSN 9001, will serve as a ground-test article and assess static strength of the airframee. The third aircraft, and second flight-test example, MSN 10002, will undertake general flight performance tests.

MSN 10003 will prove detailed flight characteristics and test avionics while MSN 10004, will perform systems and interior tests, natural icing, extreme temperature tests and community noise tests. MSN 10005 will test autopilot performance and flight characteristics with simulated ice shapes.