The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a type validation to Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s new CS300 jets.

The approval was granted on the basis of a recent operational evaluation conducted on the CS300 and the smaller CS100 aircraft.

After completing the evaluation, the agency has verified that both aircraft will share the same pilot type rating, providing cost-saving opportunities to operators.

“These airworthiness validations by international authorities recognise the exhaustive process and excellent work done by Bombardier."

The newly awarded certification has also enabled the two variants of C Series aircraft family to be approved by Transport Canada and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Bombardier design approval organisation chief engineer and head François Caza said: “These airworthiness validations by international authorities recognise the exhaustive process and excellent work done by Bombardier, in conjunction with Transport Canada, who awarded the C Series aircraft their original aircraft type approvals.

“C Series aircraft combine new materials, new manufacturing processes and new design philosophies, which are fully recognised through the completion of these validations by major international authorities.”

Designed to cater to the 100 to 150-seat market segment, Bombardier’s C Series aircraft family feature larger seats, overhead bins and windows, as well as single-aisle cabin configuration.

In addition, airBaltic has conducted the first commercial flight of the CS300 aircraft from Riga, Latvia, to Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Featuring a 145-seat and two-class configuration, the aircraft accommodated 120 passengers during the flight.

Image: Bombardier CS300 aircraft. Photo: courtesy of  Bombardier.