Bombardier CS300 takes off for 1st test flight

Bombardier saw one of its CS300 jets take off from Mirabel airport in Montreal today, the first time the company's larger CSeries plane has taken to the skies.

The first flight test of the CS300 was supposed to happen earlier this week, but was postponed because of inclement weather and a delay in getting Transport Canada's OK.

The CS300 took off successfully a little after 11 a.m. local time.

It's the first time the CS300hastaken to the air, but the company has already had numerous test flights of a smaller version, the CS100.

Friday's test is considered a more important benchmark because about two-thirds of the 240 firm orders Bombardier has for its next-generation jet are for the larger CS300 version.

The project has been plagued by delays, and is now estimated to cost more than $5 billion, at least $1 billion more than the $3.9 billion the company first forecast when it proposed the plane roughly five years ago. It was first supposed to be available to customers in 2013. But new CEO Alain Bellmare, who joined the company in a management shakeup just this month, says the plane is on track to be available later this year.

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