Bombardier Aerospace

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MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - April 7, 2011) - Bombardier has started work at
its aircraft production facility in Mirabel, Quebec, to accommodate final
assembly of the first flight test CSeries aircraft. This is another step in the
five-phased development of the Mirabel plant, which will ultimately double in
size to some 860,000 square feet (79,897 square metres).

Space optimization and re-tooling at the Mirabel facility, which began last
month, will accommodate final assembly of the first CSeries aircraft required
for the flight test and certification program. The Complete Integrated Aircraft
Systems Test Area (CIASTA), the first area at the Mirabel plant developed for
the CSeries aircraft program, is progressing on schedule, with the installation
of systems rigs currently underway.

In addition, new buildings for the CSeries aircraft program will include a
supplier satellite area; final assembly structural joining and pulse line areas;
an area for pre-flight testing; paint shops; and a delivery and administrative
centre.

Production, quality and ergonomic requirements are driving Bombardier's
technical approach to the final assembly of the CSeries aircraft. While they
will be shorter than the 128-foot (39-metre)-long CRJ1000 NextGen regional jet,
the largest aircraft currently produced at the Mirabel plant, the CSeries
aircraft will have a fuselage with a larger diameter, their wings will be longer
and their tails taller than those on the CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft. Bombardier
will therefore employ different final assembly techniques to those used for its
regional jets. As an example, two pairs of robots will be used to drill holes,
apply sealant and install fasteners to join the major sections of the CSeries
aircraft's fuselage.

"Advanced robot technology will provide predictable repeatability, enhance
quality and prevent ergonomic issues on the assembly line," said Francois
Minville, Vice President, CSeries Manufacturing, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
"The fuselage of the CSeries aircraft is 12 feet (3.7 metres) in diameter, which
presents an assembly challenge using our conventional methods. The benefit of
the robots is they can work on the top, the side and underneath the aircraft
without any limitations."

A moving production line is being introduced at Bombardier's St-Laurent
Manufacturing Centre, where major components of the CSeries aircraft, such as
the cockpit and aft fuselage, are being produced, and a moving final assembly
line is planned for Mirabel. Compared to many other industries, aircraft
manufacturing has traditionally been characterized as a low volume, long cycle
time industry. The introduction of a moving final assembly line creates a
dynamic environment that improves production efficiency.

To reduce the cycle time required to assemble a larger and more complex
airliner, Bombardier is introducing advanced processes to ensure that high
quality parts are received at the plant on time.

"We are enhancing our quality culture at Bombardier to support the production of
the CSeries aircraft," said Mr. Minville. "Through the sharing of knowledge and
best practices, we are building on our experience with aircraft programs that
involve risk-sharing suppliers and are refining our processes."

Beginning with the development of the ultra long-range Global Express business
jet in the mid-1990s, Bombardier has obtained considerable experience working
with international partners and a global supply chain in building large
structural aircraft components, such as wings and fuselages. To augment this
experience, new advanced quality planning (AQP) and advanced logistics planning
(ALP) processes are being introduced to identify potential areas of risk in
manufacturing, systems integration and supply chain logistics on the CSeries
aircraft program. The introduction of AQP and ALP highlights Bombardier's
embrace of preventive quality tools such as Process Control Plans, Mitigation
Approach Plans, and Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEAs) commonly employed in
the technology, health-care and automotive industries.

Bombardier teams started rolling out the advanced quality logistics planning
methodology to suppliers on the CSeries aircraft program in 2010, and the system
has now been deployed to 26 tier one suppliers at 46 manufacturing sites.

The CSeries aircraft, which are optimized for the single-aisle 100- to 149-seat
market, will deliver the lowest operating costs in their class, exceptional
operational flexibility, widebody comfort and an unmatched environmental
scorecard. Bombardier's goal is to capture up to half of its forecasted market
demand for 6,700 aircraft in the 100- to 149-seat commercial aircraft market
segment. This segment is valued at $393 billion over the next 20 years.

Bombardier has launched 28 new aircraft programs since 1989, including business,
commercial and special mission aircraft. The company's continued investments in
engineering and manufacturing excellence have helped established it as the
world's third largest civil aircraft manufacturer.

About Bombardier

A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from
commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems
and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada.
Its revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, were $17.7 billion, and
its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed
as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America
indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us
on Twitter @BombardierInc.

Notes to editors

Images of CSeries aircraft are available in the press releases section at:
www.bombardier.com.

For additional images, video and product information on the CSeries aircraft,
please visit: www.nowisthefuture.com.

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from
Bombardier Aerospace.

Bombardier, CRJ1000, CSeries, Global Express and NextGen are trademarks of
Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Contacts:
Bombardier Aerospace
John Arnone
1-416-375-3030
www.bombardier.com







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Source: Bombardier Aerospace via Thomson Reuters ONE

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