The Bombardier C Series achieved another milestone when CS100 Flight Test Vehicle 2 C-GYWO (c/n 50002) flew non-stop between London City Airport and New York JFK with a representative service payload. The direct intercontinental flight followed two days of tests at London City during which the CS100 performed eight takeoffs and landings to demonstrate the type’s steep approach operations capabilities.
This was an important step towards the type gaining Transport Canada and EASA certifications for such operations. Those approvals are expected in the second quarter, which will enable the CS100’s launch operator Swiss to place the type on its routes to London City. Nine C Series had been delivered by early April; six CS100s to Swiss and three CS300s to that variant’s launch operator Air Baltic.
The CS100 flying steep approaches at London City and then flying to JFK was also significant in showcasing the type’s performance capabilities. The aircraft has intercontinental range of 3,100nm (5,471km) and a take-off field length of 4,000ft (1,219m), a combination the company says gives “unmatched” performance. The company claims the C Series “would offer the only economically viable commercial option for direct intercontinental flights” between London City and JFK.
