Aircraft Factfile and Recognition Guide – Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-200/-700/-900


 

CRJ-200


 

The 50-seat Canadair Regional Jet 200 series was announced by Bombardier in 1995 and introduced into service in 1996. The CRJ200 replaced the first member of the family, CRJ100, which entered service in 1992. The 1,000th aircraft of the family to be manufactured was delivered in January 2005.

The extended range version, the CRJ200ER, has an increased maximum take-off weight (23,133kg) and an optional additional fuel capacity providing a maximum range of 3,046km. A longer-range version, CRJ200LR, has increased maximum take-off weight (24,040kg) and a range of up to 3,713km. The B variant, carrying the designations CRJ200B, CRJ200B ER and CRJ200B LR is fitted with CF34-3B1 engines for operation in hot and high conditions.

The Corporate Jetliner is the corporate executive shuttle variant accommodating 18 to 30 passengers. The Corporate Jetliner entered service in 1993. The Special Edition Corporate Jetliner, the SE version, entered service in 1995 with TAG Aeronautics. The cabin is customized for up to 19 passengers. The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 24,040kg and a range of over 5,556km. The aircraft is capable of providing a non-stop flight from Jeddah to London.

In May 2005, Bombardier launched the Challenger 850, a corporate shuttle based on the CRJ200LR. The Challenger 850 will accommodate 50 passengers in standard cabin, 32 in split cabin and 27 in deluxe cabin configuration.  In October 2005, Bombardier announced the temporary suspension of CRJ200 production, from January 2006.

Delta Connection of the USA, through its carriers Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), Comair and SkyWest Airlines, operates the largest fleet of CRJ200 jets with over 230 aircraft ordered and delivered, and Lufthansa CityLine of Germany is the largest European operator with 65 aircraft. Other operators include Air Wisconsin (70 aircraft), Air Canada (15), Atlantic Coast Airlines, Air Nostrum (32), Horizon Air, Mesa Air and Northwest Airlink (45).

The two-pilot flight deck is fitted with a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 electronic flight and information system (EFIS) and an engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS). The instrument displays include dual primary flight displays and dual multifunction displays. The system has an integrated dual automatic flight control system, dual attitude heading reference system (AHRS) and a dual air data system. The aircraft has Cat II operational capability. The addition of an optional Flight Dynamics Inc HGS 2100 HUD head up guidance system gives the aircraft Cat IIIa capability.

The aircraft also has a terrain collision avoidance system (TCAS) and a Rockwell Collins digital weather radar. The flight data recorder is supplied by Lockheed Martin Fairchild. The communications system is a dual VHF navigation and communications radio. HF and VHF radios and selective calling are optional communications. The windscreen and cockpit side windows are fitted with electric de-icing systems.

The design of the CRJ200, which evolved from the Challenger 604 business jet, is for regional airline operations. The aircraft is equipped with high efficiency engines giving a range up to 3,050km. The wings are transonic and are fitted with winglets for efficient high-speed flight. The fuselage is of semi monocoque design. The main cabin is nearly 15m in length with a centre-line width of 2.57m and can seat between 15 and 52 passengers. The rear baggage compartment provides a baggage space of 9m³. The cabins and baggage compartment are pressurized and air-conditioned.

Two General Electric high efficiency CF34-8C1 turbofan engines provide 56.4kN thrust at take-off and 61.3kN thrust with auto power reserve. The engines are equipped with pneumatically operated thrust reversers. The engine nacelles mounted on the sides of the rear section of the fuselage are developed and supplied by Bombardier Aerospace (Shorts Brothers) of Belfast. Engine bleed air feeds the wing leading edge and engine intake cowling anti-icing systems. There are two integral wing fuel tanks with a fuel capacity of 5,300 liters and an optional centre wing tank increases the fuel capacity by 2,780 liters. There are three gravity-refueling points and one pressure-refueling point on the wings. A Honeywell GTCP 36-150 auxiliary power unit is installed in the rear fuselage section. Electrical power is provided by two 30kVA engine driven generators.



CRJ-700

 

The Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet CRJ700 is the 70 to 78 seat variant of the CRJ regional jet family. The CRJ was introduced into service in 1992 and the family also includes the 44 seat CRJ440, 50 seat CRJ200 and the 86 seat CRJ900. Total firm orders for the CRJ family are for 1,432 aircraft.

Bombardier launched the CRJ700 in 1997 and the first flight and roll out took place in May 1999. The CRJ700 entered service in February 2001 and the aircraft has 229 firm orders from ten airlines and leasing companies. Over 200 aircraft have been delivered and it is in service with Brit Air (launch customer), Horizon Air, Delta Connection Inc (Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Comair), Mesa Air and American Eagle, Sky West (52 plus 60 options), Air Canada (30) in North America, Lufthansa CityLine, and Maersk Air Ltd in Europe and Shandong Airlines of China. Recent orders include GoJet Airlines (ten plus 40 options).

The Regional Aircraft division of Bombardier Aerospace, based in Toronto, Ontario, is responsible for marketing, sales, contracts and product support of the CRJ Series jet airliners. The company's training facilities include the Bombardier Aerospace Training Center in Montreal and a facility in Berlin, Germany operated under agreement between Lufthansa, CAE and Bombardier Aerospace.

In March 2005, Bombardier announced the introduction a new Long Range (LR) variant of the CRJ700. The CRJ700 LR has a range of 4,048km and an increased maximum take-off weight, allowing it to carry more fuel. The aircraft is powered by General Electric CF34-8C5B1 engines, a variant of the engine used on the CRJ900.  In June 2005, Bombardier delivered the first of a new variant, the 75-seat CRJ705, to Air Canada Jazz. The CRJ705 has a range of 3,773km and a maximum take-off weight of 38,330kg. In May 2005, Bombardier launched the Challenger 870, a corporate shuttle based on the CRJ700. The Challenger 870 will accommodate 70 passengers in standard cabin, 44 in split cabin and 42 in deluxe cabin configuration.

The CRJ700 is a stretched version of the 50 seat CRJ200, its length being increased by 5.74m. It also has a wingspan increased by 2m and an increased internal cabin width. The wing has leading edge slats to improve lift. The nacelles have been redesigned for the more powerful engines and the landing gear upgraded. The fuselage is of semi monocoque design. The CRJ 700 is a very quiet aircraft (with an operational take-off noise level of 89 EPNdb) and is very fuel efficient with a range of 3,674km and fuel capacity of 9,017kg.

The assembly and interior fit of the aircraft is carried out at the Bombardier Canadair manufacturing facility at Dorval in Quebec. Bombardier Canadair is responsible for the manufacture of the flight deck, wings, rudder, the electrical systems and primary flight control systems. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries manufactures the rear section of the fuselage. The aircraft is fitted with Avcop vertical and horizontal stabilizers and GKN in the UK manufactures the tailcone and doors.

The two pilot flight deck is fitted with a Collins Pro Line 4 six-tube electronic flight and information system (EFIS) and an engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS). The aircraft is equipped with a Flight Dynamics HGS 2000 head up display and guidance system, a Rockwell Collins automatic heading reference system (AHRS) and terrain collision avoidance system (TCAS) and a Rockwell Collins digital weather radar. The integrated avionics processor integrates the autopilot and flight management systems. The Flight Dynamics HGS 4200 Head-Up Guidance System was certified for the CRJ700 in September 2002. The system allows CAT III approach and landing down to 200 m runway visual range (RVR) and lower-than-standard CAT I approaches down to 450 m (RVR).

The main cabin, by C&D Interiors, is nearly 21m in length with a center-line width of 2.57m and can seat up to 70 passengers. It is a spacious aircraft with two-by-two seating and provides more than 6ft 2in of standing headroom. The rear baggage compartment and underfloor baggage compartment provide a total baggage space of 23.33m³. The cabins are air-conditioned with a Liebherr air management system and the lighting system is supplied by Hella.

The aircraft has two General Electric CF34-8C1 turbofan engines providing 56.4kN thrust at take-off and 61.3kN thrust with auto power reserve power. From mid-2005, production aircraft will be fitted with the upgraded CF34-8C5B1 engine, providing 58.4kN thrust at take-off, 63.4kN with auto power reserve. The engine nacelles mounted on either side of the rear section of the fuselage were developed and supplied by Bombardier Aerospace (Shorts Brothers) of Belfast.  There are two integral wing fuel tanks with a fuel capacity of 11,488 liters. The Intertechnique fuel management system is fitted with Ratier-Figeac controls. Electrical power is provided by a Hamilton Sundstrand electrical generator with two integrated drive generators providing 40kVA. The Honeywell auxiliary power unit is installed in the tailcone. The aircraft is fitted with a Walter Kidde fire detection system.
CRJ-900




The Bombardier CRJ900 regional jet, a stretched derivative of the CRJ700 was announced in 1999. Assembly of the first production aircraft was started in 2001.  The aircraft completed its first flight on 21 February 2001 at Montreal's Mirabel International Airport. In February 2003, the first aircraft was delivered to launch customer, Mesa Airlines, which has placed firm orders for 25 aircraft.  Total orders for the CRJ900 are 95 aircraft, of which over 40 have been delivered.

The aircraft has extensive commonality with other members of the CRJ family: the CRJ900 has Common Crew Qualification (CCQ) with the CRJ200 and CRJ700, as well as a reconfigurable flight simulator, common maintenance and training procedures, spares and ground support equipment. Total deliveries, orders and options for the CRJ family are over 1,100 aircraft.

The 86-seat CRJ900 is a stretched variant of the 70-seat CRJ700 with two fuselage plugs, one forward and one aft of the centre section. Compared to the CRJ700, the CRJ900 has 5% higher thrust engines, strengthened main landing gear, upgraded wheels and brakes, a strengthened wing, increased volume in the forward underfloor baggage hold, an additional underfloor baggage door and two additional overwing exits.  For fast airport turnaround, an additional service door has been placed at the aft starboard side of the fuselage providing access to aircraft cleaning and galley replenishment crew, while passengers are disembarking and embarking through the forward passenger door.

In March 2005, Bombardier announced that it has upgraded the CRJ900 by redesigning the wing-tip and winglet and optimizing the wing leading edge devices to provide lower lift / drag ratio and reduced approach speeds. This results in improved payload range, improved take-off and landing performance and lower fuel costs.  In May 2005, Bombardier launched the Challenger 890, a corporate shuttle based on the CRJ900. The Challenger 890 will accommodate 90 passengers in standard cabin, 52 in split cabin and 52 in deluxe cabin configuration.

The CRJ900 has a range of 2,774km. Bombardier has also introduced a long-range version, CRJ900LR, which will have a range with a full passenger load of 3,385km, taking off from a 1,767m runway.  The CRJ900ER European has been designed for services to European airports. The aircraft has a reduced maximum take-off weight (36,995kg as compared to 37,421kg for the CRJ900ER) to minimize the weight sensitive charges at European airports.

The two-pilot flight deck is fitted with a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 six-tube Electronic Flight and Information System (EFIS) and an Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS). The instrument panel has six 127mm x 178mm (5in x 7in) cathode ray tube displays.  The aircraft is equipped with a Flight Dynamics HGS 2000 head up display and guidance system, a Rockwell Collins Automatic Heading Reference System (AHRS), Terrain Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and a 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.

The fuselage is of semi monocoque design. The main cabin, by C & D Interiors, is nearly 24.7m in length with a centre-line width of 2.57m and can seat up to 90 passengers. Standard seating is for 86 passengers with seats at 31in pitch (78.7cm) 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 rear baggage compartment and underfloor baggage compartment provide a total baggage space of 25.57m³. The cabins are air-conditioned with a Liebherr air management system. GKN manufacture the tailcone and doors.

The aircraft is powered by two General Electric CF34-8C5 turbofan engines fitted with FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control). They provide 58.4kN thrust at take-off and 63.3kN thrust with auto power reserve. The engine nacelles, supplied by Bombardier Aerospace (Shorts Brothers) of Belfast, are mounted on the sides of the rear section of the fuselage.  There are two integral wing fuel tanks with a fuel capacity of 11,148l. The Intertechnique fuel management system is fitted with Ratier-Figeac controls.  The maximum usable fuel load is 8,822kg.  A Honeywell auxiliary power unit is installed in the tailcone. Electrical power is provided by a Hamilton Standard electrical generator with two integrated drive generators providing 40kVA.

 

Recognizing the CRJ-200/-700/-900

 

The CRJ family is a tricky series of aircraft to identify.  Here's tips on how to identify one:

Wings: 
Engines: 
Fuselage: 
Tail: 

Specifications

 

Variant CRJ-100ER/LR CRJ-200ER/LR
CRJ-700
(Series 701)
CRJ-700
(Series 705)
 CRJ-900
Length
Wing span
Height
27.77 m (87 ft 10 in)
21.21 m (69 ft 7 in)
6.22 m (20 ft 5 in)
27.77 m (87 ft 10 in)
21.21 m (69 ft 7 in)
6.22 m (20 ft 5 in)
32.51 m (106 ft 8 in)
23.24 m (76 ft 3 in)
7.57 m (24 ft 10 in)
36.40 m (119 ft 4 in)
24.85 m (81 ft 6 in)
7.51 m (24 ft 7 in)
36.40 m (118 ft 10 in)
24.85 m (81 ft 6 in)
7.51 m (24 ft 7 in)
Engines
Takeoff thrust
Thrust APR
GE CF34-3Aq (2)
38.83 kN (8,729 lbf)
41.01 kN (9,220 lbf)
GE CF34-3B1 (2)
38.83 kN (8,729 lbf)
41.01 kN (9,220 lbf)
GE CF34-8C1 (2)
56.4 kN (12,670 lbf)
61.3 kN (13,790 lbf)
GE CF34-8C5 (2)
58.4 kN (13,123 lbf)
63.4 kN (14,255 lbf)
GE CF34-8C5 (2)
58.4 kN (13,123 lbf)
63.4 kN (14,255 lbf)
Max Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW)
Max payload
19,958 kg (44,000 lb)
6,124 kg (13,500 lb)
19,958 kg (44,000 lb)
6,124 kg (13,500 lb)
28,801 kg (63,495 lb)
8,527 kg (18,800 lb)
31,751 kg (70,000 lb)
10,319 kg (22,750 lb)
31,751 kg (70,000 lb)
10,319 kg (22,750 lb)
Maximum range
ER: 3,000 km (1,864 mi)
LR: 3,710 km (2,005 mi)
ER: 3,045 km (1,895 mi)
LR: 3,713 km (2,300 mi)
3,121 km (1,939 mi)
ER: 3,676 km (2,284 mi)
3,591 km (2,231 mi)
ER/LR: 3,773 km (2,344 mi)
2,956 km (1,837 mi)
ER: 3,408 km (2,117 mi)
LR: 3,660 km (2,274 mi)
Basic cruising speeds Mach .78 Mach .78 Mach .78 Mach .78 Mach .80
Flight ceiling 12,496 m (41,000 ft) 12,496 m (41,000 ft) 12,496 m (41,000 ft) 12,496 m (41,000 ft) 12,496 m (41,000 ft)
Seating capacity 50 pass. 50 pass. 70 pass. 75 pass. 86 pass.





Sources: Aerospace Technology - CRJ-200, Aerospace Technology - CRJ-700, Aerospace Technology - CRJ-900

© 2006-2007 Steven Holzinger