Bombardier starts testing new CSeries

Posted by John McHale
MONTREAL, 22 March 2011. Key aircraft systems in the CSeries aircraft, a new family from Bombardier started being developed and tested with operators and parnters in North Amrica and Europe.
Once they aircraft have completed testing they will move to Bombardier's Complete Integrated Aircraft Systems Test Area (CIASTA). The installation of the systems rigs at the CIASTA is progressing on schedule, and some parts, including the engine accessory gearbox and flight deck controls, have already arrived.
"The CIASTA will integrate flight control systems, avionics, hydraulics, electrical, and environmental control systems prior to the CSeries aircraft's first flight," says David Tidd, vice president, Integrated Product Development Team, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "It is a significant advancement from the test rigs that Bombardier has used on its previous aircraft development programs."
Located at Bombardier's Mirabel facility, 40 kilometers north of Montreal, the CIASTA is the high-tech laboratory that will test the CSeries systems ahead of first flight and will continue to support systems integration during the flight test program.
Supported by three main pillars -- risk mitigation, advanced quality planning, and solid governance -- execution of the CSeries aircraft program is designed to enhance the reliability and maintainability of the CSeries jetliner.
"This virtual aircraft, which is in fact considered as the aircraft with serial number zero, will be used to extensively test systems design in order to mitigate risk and provide the necessary reliability prior to the first flight," Tidd says.
The 5,760 square-meter (62,000 square-foot) CIASTA complex sits adjacent to Bombardier's assembly facility for its CRJ family of regional jets. The CIASTA is the first in a series of large facilities planned exclusively for the testing, final assembly, and delivery of CSeries aircraft in Mirabel.
The CIASTA concept involves several key CSeries aircraft partners and suppliers, including CAE, Goodrich Actuation Systems, Hamilton Sundstrand, Honeywell, Liebherr-Aerospace, Parker Hannifin, Pratt & Whitney, and Rockwell Collins. Representatives from these organizations will be co-located in Mirabel to work with Bombardier on system testing and integration processes.
The CIASTA will house the Integrated Systems Test and Certification Rig (ISTCR), Engineering Simulator (ESIM), Systems Integration Test Stand (SITS), Flight Controls Integration Lab (FCIL), and Environmental Cabin Systems (ECS) rig.