Mon, Jun 15, 2009
Bombardier reports that testing and
production of the world’s first CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft
seems to going well. The technologically advanced 100-seat regional
jet was launched in 2007 as the next major step in the evolution of
the CRJ Series airliners, the world’s most successful family
of regional aircraft.
Better yet, over the weekend, Bombardier announced a new firm
order for 15 CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft placed by Air Nostrum. The
CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft program has now captured 64 firm orders
and four options.
“We continue to make strong progress, including the
addition of the second production model,” said Benjamin
Boehm, Vice President, Programs, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“And we are particularly delighted with the expression of
confidence in the program through a significant new order for an
additional 15 aircraft from Air Nostrum...”
Among the program’s recent highlights:
- The fuselage barrel for the first production CRJ1000 NextGen
aircraft, S/N 19001, arrived at Bombardier’s Mirabel,
Québec facilities on January 16, 2009 after traveling by sea
and truck from Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast site, Northern
Ireland. Wing to fuselage mating is complete and the aircraft has
been transferred to the pre-flight hangar at Mirabel. Installation
of the cabin interior as well as exterior painting is complete, and
the aircraft is now in the final stage of preparation for
flight.
- Following its initial flight at Mirabel, S/N 19001 will be
flown to the Bombardier Flight Test Center in Wichita, Kansas where
it will join the prototype CRJ1000 NextGen airliner, S/N 19991, in
the flight test and functional and reliability testing programs.
(The prototype aircraft made its inaugural flight from Mirabel on
September 3, 2008).
- S/N 19991 had completed over 450 flight test hours by May,
2009, a bit more than 50 per cent of the estimated total flight
test hours required for the program. Transport Canada have seen and
reviewed the prototype aircraft and the agency’s pilots have
had opportunities to fly the aircraft.
- The second production model, S/N 19002, is now on the assembly
line.
- The CRJ1000 NextGen simulator program is on track and will be
certified next month.
- The prototype aircraft has met or exceeded published speeds and
altitudes and flutter tests have been successfully accomplished.
Flights into natural icing conditions have also been successfully
completed. The aircraft weight is on target.
- Transport Canada has approved the escalation of “C”
check (heavy maintenance) intervals for the CRJ1000 NextGen
aircraft to 6,000 flight hours, or approximately three years of
airline service, thereby reducing maintenance costs for operators.
The CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft is a minimum change variant of the
88-passenger CRJ900 NextGen jetliner and will hold a common pilot
type rating with it and the 70-passenger CRJ700 NextGen aircraft.
Optimized for medium-haul applications, the CRJ NextGen family of
aircraft is a benchmark for regional jet efficiency in the 60- to
100-seat segment.
More News
Hold Procedure A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operatio>[...]
Altitude Readout An aircraft’s altitude, transmitted via the Mode C transponder feature, that is visually displayed in 100-foot increments on a radar scope having readout cap>[...]
Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]
Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight>[...]
"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI>[...]