Aircraft

Bombardier is maintaining its prediction that the CRJ1000 will make its first flight by summer's end.

"We are en route to an entry-into-service date during the fourth quarter of 2009. We have undergone engine and systems tests. Following completion of all systems tests and safety of flight certification, we'll get into taxi tests followed by first flight," says a Bombardier spokesman.

"First flight is expected before the end of summer," he adds.

The flight test program is expected to take about 590 flight hours up to basic certification, plus about 150 flight hours to support entry-into-service of the 100-seat aircraft. The prototype CRJ1000 was created through the stretch of the CRJ900 test aircraft.

Bombardier has 39 firm orders from four customers for the 100-seat aircraft.

For tha latest news on the CRJ1000 see Runway Girl and FlightBlogger's latest posts