Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has completed structural assembly of the first production C Series CS100 for launch customer Swiss International Airlines, following full equipage of the final assembly facility in Mirabel, Quebec, and the start of “ramp up” toward full serial production, the Canadian company announced Tuesday. Bombardier expects to deliver the first airplane to Swiss in the second quarter of this year.

 


On January 18 Swiss flight crews began their CS100 flight training in Mirabel, where they prepare for the route-proving flights alongside Bombardier’s flight crew when the CS100 route-proving aircraft flies to Europe in the coming weeks. The latest phase of preparation for service follows the completion of the North American route-proving program that included more than 35 cities. During the program, the CS100 aircraft conducted flights using typical airline flight routings and operational procedures.

 


“It's truly a spectacular sight to see the C Series final assembly line fully stacked with production aircraft in various stages of assembly, said Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer. “The line itself has been designed for maximum production efficiency&nbsp;and our skilled production teams reached a milestone this month when they rolled out the first structurally complete aircraft that will enter service with Swiss in the next few months.”

 


Plans call for Bombardier to operate the European route proving program from Swiss International’s base in Zurich, Switzerland, using the airline’s schedules, flight crews, maintenance crews and aircraft destinations.

 


“In addition to the C Series aircraft production ramp-up and European route proving, our C Series program and engineering teams are working diligently alongside our customer services team, transferring employees to various areas for cross-functional training and aircraft familiarization," said C Series program head Rob Dewar. “The timing is perfect as we now ready the European leg of the C Series route-proving program.”

 


Bombardier announced that the CS100 had received its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2015-12-18/bombardier-c-series-wins-transport-canada-certification">type certificate from Transport Canada in December</a>. Bombardier will continue to work with Transport Canada to validate the CS100’s training syllabus, the company said. Meanwhile, it expects the larger CS300 to gain its type certification within the next six months.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Bombardier Reports C Series Ramp Up Progressing On Schedule 

Swiss International Airlines crews arrive in Canada for flight training 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

People in Aviation

People In Aviation

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Next delivery for BACN program slated for 2025

Bombardier's USAF BACN Global Jet Deliveries Reach Eight

Milestone reached two years after the latest version entered service

Bombardier's Challenger 3500 Reaches 100th Delivery

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Garmin's Autoland feature could save lives if a pilot becomes incapacitated 

Textron Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ3, and M2 Jets Updated to Gen3 with Garmin Autoland

Charles Alcock

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Hybrid-electric aircraft will operate in VTOL or STOL modes with range of up to around 544 nm

Manta Turns to China's Shenyang Aviation To Advance VTOL/STOL Aircraft

Sarah Rose

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s history gets nods from EASA and other agencies

M700 Fury Racks Up Foreign Certifications

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Aircraft

People In Aviation

People in Aviation

Bombardier's USAF BACN Global Jet Deliveries Reach Eight

Next delivery for BACN program slated for 2025

Bombardier's Challenger 3500 Reaches 100th Delivery

Milestone reached two years after the latest version entered service

Textron Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ3, and M2 Jets Updated to Gen3 with Garmin Autoland

Garmin's Autoland feature could save lives if a pilot becomes incapacitated

Manta Turns to China's Shenyang Aviation To Advance VTOL/STOL Aircraft

Hybrid-electric aircraft will operate in VTOL or STOL modes with range of up to around 544 nm

M700 Fury Racks Up Foreign Certifications

Fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s history gets nods from EASA and other agencies

FAI Rent-a-jet Nominated for ITIJ Air Ambulance Award

Marks the operator's sixth nomination for the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal (ITIJ) Awards

Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

Four-week strike will affect aircraft deliveries in the fourth quarter

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN