The 86-passenger CRJ900 series was launched at Farnborough
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The newest member of the Bombardier Aerospace CRJ family of regional jet airliners, the 86-passenger CRJ900 Series, was launched at the Farnborough Air Show in July. "The CRJ900 will offer excellent operating economics," said Michael Graff, President and COO of Bombardier Aerospace. "In combination with the established members of the CRJ product family, the CRJ900 capitalizes on extensive fleet commonality in crew qualification, spares, and maintenance to deliver unmatched operational flexibility and a multimillion-dollar advantage over multiple-manufacturer fleets."
The CRJ900 Series program schedule calls for first flight in the first half of 2001, leading to initial type certification during the third quarter of 2002 and first customer delivery in the fourth quarter of 2002.
The company's Montreal facility will build the wings, cockpit, and fairings, as well as carry out final assembly. Its Belfast plant will build the remaining fuselage sections and the engine nacelles.
The main characteristics of the CRJ900 Series aircraft include baseline seating for 86 passengers in a four-abreast, 31-in seat pitch configuration. Lavatories forward and aft are standard, as well as a five-cart galley. The cabin has been arranged to permit different service zones, and it incorporates the enhanced-comfort, ergonomic design of the CRJ700 Series aircraft, with wide bin separation for extra head and shoulder room. The bins accommodate standard roller bags. CRJ900 versions with two-class seating are planned.
The changes incorporated in the CRJ900 compared to the CRJ700 include: fuselage plugs of 90 in forward and 62 in aft; a strengthened wing featuring the same planform as the CRJ700; an added pair of over-wing emergency exits; strengthened main landing gear, and upgraded wheels and brakes; and GE CF34-8C5 engines. The new engines, which are to be certified in the second quarter of 2002, are advanced derivatives of the engine employed on other CRJ aircraft as well as Bombardier's Challenger 604 wide-body business jet. Compared to the engine used by the CRJ700 Series, the new one delivers about 5% more thrust.
The aircraft will be offered in two versions - the standard aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 80,500 lb and a 1500-nm range, and an extended-range model with a maximum takeoff weight of 82,500 lb and range of 1732 nm. The availability of both versions will enable operators to select a model to minimize landing fee expenses and optimize range.
The CRJ900 will lower available seat mile (ASM) costs by 20% over the CRJ200. With the 50-passenger CRJ200 and the 70-passenger CRJ700, Bombardier has the capability to offer a single family of aircraft from 50 to 86 seats.
Frank Bokulich
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Aerospace Engineering September 2000
