Flight Home

The first flight tests of General Electric's CF34-8C1 turbofan for Bombardier's CRJ-700 regional jet began on 10 March, when the engine flew beneath the wing of the company's Boeing 747 flying testbed.

The 90min flight from Mojave, California, evaluated baseline engine performance and marked the start of a 129h, 20-flight test programme. Tests will include altitude performance, air starts, operability transients, digital engine control and performance

The programme is due to be completed by mid-May to coincide with roll-out of the first CRJ-700. First flight of the regional jet is expected in June, with Transport Canada certification in the fourth quarter of 2000. First deliveries are due in the first quarter of 2001.