The PW1500G, P&W’s first Geared Turbo Fan, was certified
by Transport Canada. As the development of a complete new engine is always a
risk, now one major risk on the whole CSeries program isn’t one anymore. It is
also good news for Embraer, planning to use the same engine with slight changes
to the externals dubbed as PW1900G, for
the upcoming and still-to-launch E190G2 and E195G2. Embraer can now bank on an engine
that is proven in service for a few years when the G2 EJets enter service. That
might have been one reason to choose the GTF over the NG34 and LEAP engines
from GE and CFM.
But back to the Bombardier CSeries. The aircraft program got
also a major commercial boost yesterday, when Ilyushin Finance signed a firm
order for 32 CS300 plus 10 options. The original LoI called for 3 CS100 and 7
CS300 with ten options and ten purchase rights, so Ilyushin Finance upped their
original commitment substantially.
Now the whole aerospace world is waiting for the first
flight of the CSeries (and as well for the first flight of the A350 and London
bookmakers are taking bets who is first).
Later today there will be the conference call for results of the fourth
quarter and fiscal year ended Dec. 31st. Maybe we will hear more on
the progress of the program.