Latest Commercial Aviation Content by Aviation Week & Space Technology
Oct 14, 2013
The CRJ series is a family of twin-engine, 44-100-seat regional jets. The initial model was the 50-seat CRJ100, which first flew in May 1991; deliveries began in October 1992. The CRJ100 was replaced by the 50-seat CRJ200, which is powered by a pair of 9,220-lb.-thrust GE CF34-3B1 turbofans. Other variants have included the 44-seat CRJ440, also powered by CF34-3B1s; the 64-78 seat CRJ700, powered by two 13,790-lb.-thrust CF34-8C5 turbofans; and the 86-90-seat CRJ900, powered by two 14,255-lb.-thrust CF34-8C5s.
Oct 14, 2013
Launched in July 2008, Bombardier's CSeries family comprises two basic models: the CS100, which carries 110 passengers; and the larger CS300 model, which seats 135 in a standard configuration. The aircraft will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofans producing up to 23,300 lb. thrust each. With an extra-capacity seating option, the CS300 can carry up to 160 passengers. The CS100's first flight occurred in September. The CS100 will compete with the Embraer 190 and 195, while the CS300 will vie against the Boeing 737 and Airbus A319.
Oct 14, 2013
This twin-engine turboprop aircraft family was known as the Dash 8 series. The original Q100 made its first flight in June 1983; first deliveries followed in October 1984. The Q100 carried 37-39 passengers and was equipped with 2,150-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120/121 engines. Other models have been the 37-39-passenger Q200 (with 2,150-shp PW123C/Ds) and the 50-56-seat Q300 (with 2,500-shp PW123Bs). Q100, Q200 and Q300 production has ended. The 68-78-seat Q400 (with 5,071-shp PW150As) remains in production.
Oct 14, 2013
This single-turboprop-powered utility/passenger aircraft first flew in December 1982. Through 2012, Cessna produced 2,214 Caravans of all types. Designed with the small-package delivery segment in mind, Caravan models currently in production include the 675 and the 208B Grand Caravan. Both are powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A turboprop engine rated at 675 shp. Also in production is the upgraded Grand Caravan EX model, featuring a more powerful PT6A-140 turboprop engine. The EX achieved certification in January 2013.
Oct 14, 2013
Initially, the new ARJ21 regional jet from Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China was to be available in the ARJ21-700 78-90-seat variant, while later introduction of the 98-105-seat ARJ21-900 is a possibility. Power is provided by two GE CF34-10A turbofans producing 18,500 lb. thrust each. Rollout of the ARJ21-700 occurred in December 2007, followed by first flight in November 2008. Four ARJ21s were built through 2012, and 103 additional examples are forecast for production through 2022. The ARJ21 faces competition from Bombardier and Embraer.
Oct 14, 2013
A twin-turbofan-powered, narrowbody commercial passenger transport aircraft, the C919 targets the Airbus/Boeing duopoly in narrowbody airliner sales. Variants include the baseline C919-200, which seats up to 168 passengers; the C919-100, a 130-seat model that will compete against the Airbus A319; and the C919-300, a 190-seat model designed to compete with Airbus's A321 and Boeing's 737-800/900. Comac has selected the CFM International Leap-1C engine, with 30,000 lb. thrust, to power the C919. Service entry is planned for 2016.
Oct 14, 2013
The TBM 850 is a single-engine, 4-6-passenger, turboprop-powered aircraft that replaced the TBM 700 in 2006. Power is provided by a single 850-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D engine, flat-rated to 850 shp. The aircraft has a range of 1,585 nm. Through 2012, production totaled 299 aircraft. Production of another 421 is forecast for 2013-22.
Oct 14, 2013
This is Embraer's E-Jets family of twin-engine, 70-132-seat regional jetliners. The 70-80-passenger 170 made its first flight in February 2002, followed by the larger 78-88-seat 175 in June 2003. The 170 and 175 share a common engine in the 14,200-lb.-thrust GE CF34-8E. The 94-114-seat 190 made its initial flight in March 2004, while the 106-122-passenger 195 first flew in December 2004. GE CF34-10E engines, rated at 20,000 lb. thrust each, power these models.