Toronto -- Bombardier Aerospace and GE Aviation added another milestone to their storied collaboration in regional jet airliners when Bombardier's prototype CRJ1000 NextGen jetliner completed its flight at the Bombardier facility in Mirabel, Quebec.
After additional flights from Mirabel, the prototype CRJ1000 NextGen, powered by GE's CF34-8C5 engine series, will be flown to Bombardier Flight Test Center in Wichita, Kansas. The 100-seat jetliner is slated to enter commercial service in late 2009.
"A first flight is an important milestone in the development of a new aircraft such as the CRJ1000 NextGen regional jet," said Jean-Guy Blondin, Director CRJ Programs, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "We are very pleased with the readiness of our prototype, which is embarking on its journey to Type Certification."
The CRJ1000 NextGen--designed for medium-haul routes in the 500 to 1,300 nautical mile range--has attracted 63 firm orders, conditional orders and options, from four airlines, including Brit Air of France, myair.com of Italy, and Adria Airways of Slovenia.
Bombardier and GE worked together to help usher in the era of regional jet airliners in the early 1990s with the CRJ100 and CRJ200 50-seater aircraft, powered by the CF34-3. During this decade, the larger CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft entered service powered by the CF34-8C5 engine family. Today, more than 4,000 CF34 engines power Bombardier CRJ* Series regional jets and Challenger* business jets.
The CRJ1000 will be offered with the CF34-8C5, -8C5A1, and -8C5A2 engine models. The -8C5A2, the latest version, will be introduced in 2009. For the CRJ1000, the engines feature a new first-stage, high-pressure turbine nozzle and other enhancements for durability, targeted to deliver up to 12 percent lower engine maintenance costs. The -8C5A2 will be rated at the same 14,510 pounds of thrust as the original -8C5, but with greater thrust capability at takeoff.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.
*Trademarks of Bombardier or its subsidiaries.