Aircraft News - North America

AirGuide Business, Sept 8, 2008

Bombardier

Bombardier's CRJ1000 prototype took to the skies yesterday from Montreal Mirabel for a 3 hr. 25 min. first flight, reaching a maximum speed of 260 kt. and an altitude of 30,000 ft. Bombardier launched the 100-seat CRJ1000 program in early 2007 and has tallied 63 firm orders, with first delivery slated for the 2009 fourth quarter. The prototype will make a few more flights from Mirabel and then head to Wichita for further testing in preparation for review by Transport Canada, US FAA and EASA. The 1000 is 3 m. longer than the 900 with an MTOW of 91,800 lb. and a range of 1,610 nm. It is powered by the GE CF34-8C5A2, a derivative of the CF34-8C4 used by the 900. The CF34-8C5A2 will produce 5% more thrust for normal takeoffs and up to 3% more for maximum takeoffs at low-altitude airfields. The variant will include software modifications to the engine controls to produce additional thrust, along with an upgraded high-pressure turbine "for greater durability" that GE said could reduce maintenance costs by as much as 3%. Sep 4, 2008

Freedom Airlines, Embraer

Delta Air Lines is preparing to place 34 Embraer ERJ-145s flown by Mesa subsidiary Freedom Airlines back into service as the Atlanta-hubbed carrier awaits an appeal of a ruling prohibiting the removal of the aircraft from Delta's operations. In March Delta informed Mesa of its intent to cancel the contract covering the operation of those 34 50-seat jets, citing Freedom's failure to meet certain operational targets specified in their air services agreement. Mesa opted to sue Delta over the contract suspension and in May a judge issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Delta from dissolving the deal. Delta is appealing against the decision, but until the matter is resolved the ERJs must continue Delta Connection operations. Sep 1, 2008

Piper Aircraft

Piper Aircraft is homing in on the final aerodynamic design of its new $2.2 million single-engined PiperJet, scheduled for first deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2011. Performance metrics revealed during 13 test flights totaliing 18.7h between the first flight on 30 July and 27 August include a full-flap (36[degrees]) stall speed of 65kt (120km/h), 3,400ft/min (17.3m/s) maximum rate of climb with gear down and the ability to take off in 640m (2,100ft) and land in 730m, both over a 50ft obstacle. Sep 8, 2008

Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines was conceived in the early part of the century to operate what was by then a rundown and hardly used facility. Besides standardizing on the fuel efficient 70-seat turboprop, a new ferry was introduced and the terminal facilities much upgraded. Initially the airline flew ten daily rotations to Ottawa. It now also operates to Montreal, Halifax, Quebec City, and Mt. Tremblant (seasonal), plus Newark New York, its longest, and perhaps most high profile route. Newark Liberty International, close to the New Jersey turnpike, is only 90 minutes flight time away, the same as the jets from the international airport. Time to downtown Manhattan is much the same as Kennedy and La Guardia depending on traffic. For more information, visit www.flyporter.com Sep 5, 2008