C-Series on target for first flight as fly-by-wire testing begins

He said that the flight test programme has reached the critical stage of testing the manufacturer’s first ever fly-by-wire system.

"I'm going to feel better in six weeks, eight weeks from now," Hachey told an investors meeting "So far, everything we have found we have managed within the timelines we have."

According to aerospace online publisher flightglobal, company officials are seeking to avoid the software glitches on the rudder-only fly-by-wire system on the CRJ1000, which grounded the aircraft for several months shortly after beginning flight tests in 2009.

Parker Aerospace and Rockwell Collins have tested the more elaborate CSeries fly-by-wire system that controls the aircraft's rudder, elevator and ailerons as an isolated component.

Flightglobal said that Bombardier is now testing the fly-by-wire controls in the CSeries integrated systems test and certification rig (ISTCR), also known as Aircraft 0, allowing engineers to see how it functions in a complete aircraft system on the ground. The tests will likely continue through the end of April or early May.

Once these tests are successfully completed, the first test aircraft will be prepared for first flight which should take place by mid to late June.

Bombardier plans to deliver a new aircraft every month after flight testing begins, to complete the flight test fleet of five aircraft by October. First delivery to an unidentified launch customer is scheduled in mid-2014.