[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the first CSeries aircraft - Flight Test Vehicle 1 (FTV1) - has successfully obtained Transport Canada's Flight Test Permit, thereby clearing the way for its maiden flight, expected in the coming weeks.

This follows a series of pre-flight tests including low-speed taxi runs. FTV1 will now proceed with high-speed taxi runs whereby the aircraft simulates speeds for flight take-off.

“Five years in the making and today, following receipt of Transport Canada‘s flight test permit, we are very close to the CSeries airliner’s first flight - a historic moment for Bombardier and a game-changing moment for the industry,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The CSeries aircraft teams have spent the last few weeks completing rigorous exercises to ensure the integrity and maturity of the aircraft are absolutely in check with the flight crew's requirements. Pending optimal weather, the CSeries aircraft will soon take to the skies.”