Bombardier CRJ1000 Regional Jetliner, Canada

The prototype of Bombardier's new regional jetliner, the CRJ1000, completed its first flight on 3 September 2008. The aircraft flew from the Bombardier production centre at Mirabel in Quebec and reached an altitude of 30,000ft and a speed of 480km/h in the three-and-a-half-hour flight.

The aircraft development was announced in February 2007 and by December 2008 Bombardier had received firm orders for 45 CRJ1000. The launch customer is the French airline Brit Air, with 14 aircraft on order, and the Italian airline MyAir, with 15 on order. The aircraft will enter service in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The aircraft is the latest in the CRJ regional jet series. A total of 1,665 of the Bombardier CRJ series regional jets have been ordered of which 1,498 have been delivered. The aircraft is offered as a new build or as a conversion from the CRJ900.

The aircraft will be built in two versions, a standard and an extended-range (ER) version. Carrying 100 passengers the CRJ1000 has a range of 2,760km and the CRJ1000ER extended range has a range of 3,130km.

The CRJ1000 regional airliner is being marketed to meet the needs of growing regional airlines for jets of up to 100 seats, with environmentally green performance and with particular focus on low operating costs and improvements in passenger cabin comfort. In comparison to older-generation aircraft of similar passenger capacity currently in operation, the CRJ1000 provides substantially lower fuel consumption and achieves up to 30% reduced carbon dioxide engine emissions.

CRJ1000 design

The CRJ1000 has a wingspan of 26.17m and incorporates a redesigned wing-tip, winglets and an optimised wing leading edge to provide a lower lift-to-drag ratio and allow reduced approach speeds. The fuselage is of semi-monocoque design. The overall length is 39.15m.

Flight deck

The CRJ1000 has the same two-pilot flight deck configuration as the CRJ900. The flight deck is equipped with a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 integrated avionics system with six-tube electronic flight and information system (EFIS) and engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS).

The instrument panel has six 127mm×178mm (5in×7in) cathode ray tube displays.

The avionics suite also includes a Flight Dynamics HGS 2000 head-up guidance system, Rockwell Collins automatic heading reference system (AHRS), terrain collision avoidance system (TCAS) and Rockwell Collins digital weather radar. The integrated avionics processor integrates the autopilot and flight management systems.

The windscreen and cockpit side windows are fitted with electric de-icing systems.

Cabin

The main cabin, with interior design by C&D Interiors, is 27.6m in length, about 101m³ in volume and can seat up to between 100 and 104 passengers. Standard seating is for 100 passengers in a four-abreast configuration. Other interior layouts include two-class interiors with mixed seat pitch. The aircraft's lighting is supplied by Hella Aerospace GmbH. The cabins are air-conditioned with a Liebherr air management system.

Engines

The Bombardier CRJ700, CRJ705, CRJ900 and the new CRJ1000 airliners are powered by the General Electric CF34-8C5 family of engines. The CRJ1000 is powered by either the GE CF34-8C5A1 or the new derivative engine version, A2. The GE CF34-85A2 carries the same thrust rating (2×60.6kN) as the CF34-8C5 but is fitted with modified engine control software to provide a 5% higher normal take-off thrust, with 3% higher maximum take-off thrust for low-altitude runways.

The new A2 engine also incorporates an improved-performance high-pressure turbine which provides increased durability and reduced maintenance cost. The high-pressure turbines incorporate modifications to the design of the airfoils, new airfoil coating and an improved cooling system.

The engines are mounted on the sides of the rear section of the fuselage and are fitted with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). The engine nacelles are supplied by Bombardier Aerospace of Belfast. The Intertechnique fuel management system is fitted with Ratier-Figeac controls. A Honeywell auxiliary power unit is installed in the tailcone and electrical power is provided by a Hamilton Standard electrical generator with two integrated drive generators providing 40kVA.

Landing gear

The aircraft is fitted with Menasco Aerospace retractable tricycle-type landing gear.