Bombardier - CRJ700-701ER
From early in 1995, Canadair began design and market evaluations for a “step-up” stretched version of their CRJ100/200 under the designation CRJ-X. The manufacturer consulted with fifteen airlines aiming to give existing CRJ operators a family of airliners with a range of capabilities, including: meeting growing capacity requirements on routes developed with the 50-seater; extending existing hub operations; increasing “hub-bypass” possibilities and replacing ‘mainline’ jets on selected point to point services. What emerged from these studies was a 70-seat design combining maximum compatibility with the CRJ100/200, the lowest seat/mile cost in its class, and a full payload range of 2582km. The resulting CRJ700 was designed to share a Common Crew Qualification, allowing carriers to use a common pool of flight deck crews to alternate between any aircraft in the CRJ Series. The 700 Series also shared a high degree of commonality with regard to maintenance, spares, training procedures, and ground support requirements with all CRJ models. As of CRJ700 programme launch on 17 January 1997 Bombardier held commitments for 67 aircraft from eight customers. French regional carrier and existing CRJ operator Brit Air was the launch customer, with a firm order for four aircraft and seven options, while the US launch customer, American Eagle ordered no less than 25 aircraft with 25 options. The CRJ700 featured a 200 Series fuselage stretched by 4.72m, by means of insertions fore and aft of the wing. Power was provided by the 56.4 kN general Electric CF34-8C1 turbofans, which offered impressive improvements over early CF34 variants, and which were mounted in new nacelles on new pylons. As well as being quieter and offering lower emissions, the -8C1 achieved 50% more thrust, a 15% improvement in the thrust to weight ratio and 8% lower specific fuel consumption, all achieved with 30% fewer parts and much increased engine accessibility for faster servicing/replacement. The CRJ700’s wingspan was increased to 23.24m by adding a 1.83m insertion at the wing root. Field performance was improved by means of adding leading edge slats. Other changes to the design included the extension of the horizontal tailplane and the strengthening of the undercarriage, which also featured larger wheels/tyres and upgraded brakes. The redesigned cabin offered extra room and not only was cabin length extended by 6.01m (through moving the rear pressure bulkhead back by 1.29m) but also height (by lowering the floor 2.5cm) and width (increased by 1.27cm at shoulder level). The cabin revamp also featured relocated and enlarged windows (11.4cm higher on the fuselage); raised seat height (up 2.5cm); upgraded air-conditioning and cabin lighting; and re-contoured overhead storage bins. Like its 50 seat predecessor, the CRJ700 was assembled by Canadair at Dorval in Montreal, but Bombardier expected to fund only around 68% of the expected $645 million (Canadian Dollars) development costs, with the remainder being met by 12 risk sharing partners. While Canadair produced the forward fuselage, cockpit, rudder and doors, other major contributors were as follows: Allied signal (APU), Avcorp (fin & tailplane), General Electric (powerplants), Intertechnique (fuel systems), Liebherr (air systems), Menasco (undercarriage), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (rear fuselage), Parker (hydraulics), Rockwell Collins (avionics), Sextant Avionique (flight controls), Shorts (mid fuselage, engine nacelles/pylons/thrust reversers & fairings), Sundstrand (flaps, slats & generator components) and Westland (tailcone). The CRJ700 maiden flight took place on 28 May 1999, with first delivery, to Brit Air in February 2001. The 700 series is available in two fuselage lengths, each with two maximum take off weight/range options: Extended Range and Long Range. The 701 Series seats 64-70 passengers, while the 705 Series seats a maximum 75 passengers in a CRJ900 series airframe “scoped” to carry just 75 passengers. In addition to the 5 extra seats, the 705 Series offers slightly more powerful (58.4kN) CF34-8Cs turbofans, which contribute to a slightly higher maximum cruise speed of 876 kmh.
