CSeries engine gets Transport Canada certification

Bombardier Inc. announced Wednesday it was close to firming up an order for up to 42 of its new CSeries aircraft from Russian leasing company, Ilyushin Finance Co.

The Moscow-based IFC had originally signed a letter of intent for just 10 of the new aircraft, and put another 10 on option, in August 2011.

But Bombardier said IFC instead signed a purchase agreement for 32 of the larger CSeries, the CS300s, and put an additional 10 on option.

The firm order for 32 aircraft, which is still subject to a vote from Ilyushin shareholders, if valued at US$2.56-billion, based on list price.

If all options are exercised, however, it could grow to US$3.42-billion.

?The aircraft leasing world is changing rapidly,? said Alexander Rubtsov, IFC director general, said in a statement. ?As older, less efficient designs present ongoing challenges to airlines ? given high fuel costs and heightened environmental concerns ? the CSeries aircraft offers transcontinental range, superior field and runway performance, and a superb cabin that will bring air transport into the 21st century.?

Mr. Rubtsov also noted CSeries jetliners is IFC?s first large, non-Russian aircraft order, and, with a seating capacity between 110 and 145 seats, it is ideally suited for the space between the Russian Superjet and the MC-21 aircraft, which IFC has committed to purchase.

The news comes as Bombardier also announced Wednesday that the Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engine used on its new CSeries aircraft had achieved type certification from Transport Canada.

The Montreal-based plane and train maker also said it was in the process of final assembly of the first CSeries test aircraft.

More than 4,000 hours of rigorous testing were conducted on the PurePower Geared Turbofan engine before it was certified, the companies said.

Rob Dewar, general manager of the CSeries program, described the news as a ?significant milestone and critical step? in the development of the plane.

Bombardier has said it expects the first flight of the CSeries to occur by the end of June after a six-month delay to the program was announced last November.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FP_TopStories/~3/ogUTN7AQYNU/

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