Bombardier CRJ100ER

Bombardier CRJ100ER
ERIC SALARD from PARIS, FRANCE · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Bombardier CRJ100ER
Type	Regional jet
Manufacturer	Bombardier Aerospace
Status	Retired/limited service

Bombardier CRJ100ER is a stretched regional jet developed by Bombardier Aerospace as an extended-range version of the Canadair Regional Jet family. The type served short- to medium-haul routes for a variety of carriers and participated in regional networks across North America, Europe, and Asia. It shares lineage with the Canadair CL-600 series and was produced alongside the CRJ200 and later CRJ700 family.

Design and Development

The CRJ100ER traces its design roots to the Bombardier Aerospace acquisition of Canadair and the evolution from the Canadair Challenger 600 program. Development involved incremental changes to the baseline CRJ100 to meet requirements set by launch customers such as Bombardier Regional Aircraft operators and legacy carriers engaged in hub-and-spoke networks. Certification activities interfaced with authorities including Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration, reflecting standards similar to those applied to contemporary regional types like the Embraer ERJ family and the Fokker 70. Engineering focused on aerodynamic refinement, modifications to fuel capacity, and systems upgrades influenced by experience from the De Havilland Canada lineage and by competitive pressures from manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing.

Technical Specifications

The CRJ100ER is powered by twin General Electric CF34 turbofan engines, a derivative program connected to the General Electric CF34 family used across the regional market including the Embraer 170. Its airframe incorporates a low-mounted wing and T-tail configuration inherited from the Challenger derivatives and the original Canadair Regional Jet concept. Typical specifications include seating for approximately 50 passengers in single-class layouts, range extended over the baseline CRJ100 by increased fuel capacity and optional auxiliary tanks, and avionics suites provided by suppliers such as Honeywell and Rockwell Collins. Systems integration and performance envelope evaluations referenced standards promulgated by International Civil Aviation Organization and harmonized with European Union Aviation Safety Agency practices. Weight and balance, takeoff field length, and climb performance were competitive with contemporaries like the British Aerospace 146 and Saab 2000.

Operational History

Commercial service began as regional carriers integrated the CRJ100ER into feeder duties for major airlines including those operating under the banners of legacy carriers like Air Canada and American Airlines partners. The type operated on short-hop sectors linking regional airports such as LaGuardia Airport, Pearson International Airport, and Heathrow Airport feeder routes. Fleet utilization was influenced by deregulation-era network restructuring and alliances involving Star Alliance and Oneworld partner regional chains. Over time, airlines transitioned many airframes to secondary operators, leasing companies, and governmental operators influenced by factors such as fuel price volatility tied to markets monitored by institutions like the International Energy Agency.

Variants and Modifications

Beyond the ER version, the CRJ family spawned a series that included stretched and upgraded derivatives produced under Bombardier programs that later competed with models from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and COMAC. Modifications applied in service included enhanced emergency oxygen systems to meet Federal Aviation Regulations updates, cabin refurbishments influenced by inflight product standards from firms like Airline Passenger Experience Association stakeholders, and avionics retrofits employing components from Thales Group and Garmin. Military and government conversions paralleled programs executed for platforms such as the Lockheed Martin special-mission derivatives, with bespoke mission systems installed by contractors including L3Harris Technologies.

Operators and Service Use

Primary operators comprised North American regional airlines, European carriers, and leasing firms such as those associated with AerCap and GE Capital Aviation Services. The type was deployed on routes connecting metropolitan hubs to smaller cities including Toronto Pearson, Chicago O'Hare, Frankfurt Airport, and Tokyo Haneda feeder services. Governments and special-mission operators utilized airframes for tasks analogous to those performed by converted business jets like the Bombardier Global Express in VIP and transport roles. Retirement and secondary-market activity involved transactions documented by aviation registries in jurisdictions like Transport Canada Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Incidents and Accidents

Accident and incident records involving the CRJ100ER were investigated by agencies such as the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the National Transportation Safety Board. Notable events prompted recommendations coordinated with industry organizations including the Flight Safety Foundation and led to airworthiness directives issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and EASA. Investigations often cited factors examined in accident probe methodologies used by the International Civil Aviation Organization and produced safety advisory circulars addressing operational practices similar to analyses of other regional types like Avro RJ accidents.

Category:Bombardier aircraft Category:Regional airliners