Video - Bombardier CS300’s successful maiden flight

On 27^th February, the Bombardier CS300 prototype made its first flight lasting almost five hours over Montreal in Canada ; having completed its short tour it then returned to base. In a well below freezing temperature, the largest aircraft ever built by Bombardier reached an altitude of 12,500 metres (41,000 feet) and a speed of 470 km/h (292 mph).

The performance of the CS100 and CS300 are identical in all respects, with the same range and maximum speed, however, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer’s latest aircraft is almost four metres (13 feet) longer than the CS100, and can carry between 20 and 50 passengers more, in the higher capacity version.

An argument that, despite a year of delays in the programme, has seduced airlines ; of the 243 CSeries firm orders to date, three quarters are for the CS300.

With this new aircraft, Bombardier intends tackling the same category Airbus and Boeing single-aisle’s: the A319neo and the 737 MAX-8. The CS300’s main asset, is its price of $ 72 million, which is 20-30% less than its competitors.

The aircraft’s civil certification and commissioning is expected in the first half of 2016.