CIASTA Will Integrate Testing Of Various Components Under One
Roof
The first systems for Bombardier's CSeries airliner program are
now being developed and tested at partners and vendors in Canada,
the United States and Europe prior to delivery 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.
Located at Bombardier's Mirabel facility north of Montreal, the
CIASTA is the high-tech laboratory that will test the CSeries
aircraft's 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.
"The CIASTA will integrate flight control systems, avionics,
hydraulics, electrical and environmental control systems prior to
the CSeries aircraft's first flight," said 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."
"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," added Mr. Tidd.
The 62,000 sq. ft. CIASTA complex sits adjacent to Bombardier's
state-of-the-art 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.