Dal migliore: ATWonline
Thursday September 4, 2008
Bombardier's CRJ1000 prototype took to the skies yesterday from Montreal Mirabel for a 3 hr. 25 min. first flight, reaching a maximum speed of 260 kt. and an altitude of 30,000 ft.
"We put the gear up, operated the flaps and slats and exercised our fly-by-wire rudder," pilot Jacques Thibaudeau said. "The aircraft handled similarly to the smaller CRJ900 airliner so flight crews will not have a problem transitioning."
Bombardier launched the 100-seat CRJ1000 program in early 2007 and has tallied 63 firm orders, with first delivery slated for the 2009 fourth quarter (ATWOnline, Feb. 21, 2007). The prototype will make a few more flights from Mirabel and then head to Wichita for further testing in preparation for review by Transport Canada, US FAA and EASA.
The 1000 is 3 m. longer than the 900 with an MTOW of 91,800 lb. and a range of 1,610 nm. It is powered by the GE CF34-8C5A2, a derivative of the CF34-8C4 used by the 900. The CF34-8C5A2 will produce 5% more thrust for normal takeoffs and up to 3% more for maximum takeoffs at low-altitude airfields. The variant will include software modifications to the engine controls to produce additional thrust, along with an upgraded high-pressure turbine "for greater durability" that GE said could reduce maintenance costs by as much as 3%.
by Sandra Arnoult
Thursday September 4, 2008
Bombardier's CRJ1000 prototype took to the skies yesterday from Montreal Mirabel for a 3 hr. 25 min. first flight, reaching a maximum speed of 260 kt. and an altitude of 30,000 ft.
"We put the gear up, operated the flaps and slats and exercised our fly-by-wire rudder," pilot Jacques Thibaudeau said. "The aircraft handled similarly to the smaller CRJ900 airliner so flight crews will not have a problem transitioning."
Bombardier launched the 100-seat CRJ1000 program in early 2007 and has tallied 63 firm orders, with first delivery slated for the 2009 fourth quarter (ATWOnline, Feb. 21, 2007). The prototype will make a few more flights from Mirabel and then head to Wichita for further testing in preparation for review by Transport Canada, US FAA and EASA.
The 1000 is 3 m. longer than the 900 with an MTOW of 91,800 lb. and a range of 1,610 nm. It is powered by the GE CF34-8C5A2, a derivative of the CF34-8C4 used by the 900. The CF34-8C5A2 will produce 5% more thrust for normal takeoffs and up to 3% more for maximum takeoffs at low-altitude airfields. The variant will include software modifications to the engine controls to produce additional thrust, along with an upgraded high-pressure turbine "for greater durability" that GE said could reduce maintenance costs by as much as 3%.
by Sandra Arnoult
