Bombardier introduces its largest and most advanced regional jet to the Asian market this week after sending the CRJ 900 to Zhuhai for the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China 2008).
"The CRJ NextGen family of aircraft is optimized for medium-haul applications and is a benchmark for regional jet efficiency in the 60- to 100-seat market on the strength of better economics, including lower fuel burn," said Jim Dailly, Senior Vice President, Sales, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
The CRJ900 NextGen jet will be on display in Zhuhai from November 4 to 6. With over 125 orders, the CRJ900 NextGen regional jet is the best-selling member of the CRJ NextGen aircraft family. The 70- to 78-seat CRJ700 NextGen jet has attracted 54 orders and the 100-seat CRJ1000 NextGen jet has 45 orders from four airlines. The CRJ1000 NextGen jet prototype made its inaugural flight from Mirabel, Quebec on September 3, 2008 and has embarked on its flight test program with certification and initial deliveries scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009.
The Canadair Regional Jet (later re-named the CRJ regional jet) launched modern regional aviation in 1992. Today, more than 1,500 CRJ Series aircraft have been delivered to operators worldwide.
Currently, five commercial airlines in China operate a total of 25 CRJ Series aircraft. The airlines include China Eastern Yunnan Airlines, China Express Airlines, Kunpeng Airlines, Shandong Airlines and Shanghai Airlines. In addition, government agencies operate a total of 12 corporate variants of CRJ200 and CRJ700 aircraft. The corporate variants are configured as personnel shuttles.
"Bombardier Commercial Aircraft is promoting all its market-leading products in Zhuhai - the CRJ NextGen regional jet with its enhanced cabin environment, the quiet Q400 turboprop, and the all-new CSeries airliner, the world's newest and most advanced single-aisle aircraft designed to set new standards in technology, fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact," said Trung Ngo, Vice President, Sales, Asia-Pacific, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

Milestone Achieved
In separate news, Bombardier Aerospace announced another milestone in the advancement of civil aviation: a Bombardier test aircraft executed a first flight equipped entirely with an all electric braking system - a civil aviation first. The testing lasted in excess of seven hours, included five landings and a series of high-speed braked ground runs. The Bombardier demonstator aircraft was equipped with Meggitt's electric braking system - known as the EBrake(R), and Messier-Dowty's landing gear with electric brake wiring harnesses.
On board the test aircraft were engineering test pilots, Gary Bruce and Jeff Karnes, along with flight test engineer, Anthony Dunne. "We tested the Ebrake(R) system's normal, emergency and park braking functionality during both ground and flight tests,” said Pilot in Command Gary Bruce. “It provided improved braking control in normal and emergency operating modes, resulting in tight centerline control even during maximum brake applications.
Electric braking is the next evolution in aerospace braking system technology for it couples brake-by-wire control with electric brake actuation. Bombardier's strategic technology demonstrator aircraft was modified by removing its hydraulically actuated brake-by-wire control system. In its place, a complete electric brake-by-wire system, with fully integrated anti-skid protection, emergency and parking brake functions was installed.
The key benefits of this new technology are an expected increase in the aircraft's dispatch reliability; elimination of brake system hydraulic leaks with associated fire risk; simplification of the aircraft's manufacturing process; and reduced maintenance costs for airlines. In addition to these tangible aircraft level benefits, electric brake technology falls in-line with the industry evolution towards more electric aircraft providing a more fuel efficient, cleaner-burning aircraft and reducing the usage of toxic hydraulic fluids.
Earlier this month, on October 6, 2008, Bombardier and Meggitt announced they are collaborating to deploy the newest brake system technology available on Bombardier's strategic technology aircraft. Featuring Meggitt's electrically actuated carbon brake system - known as the EBrake(R) - this aircraft tested all the system's capabilities, including normal, emergency and parking modes. Meggitt's system will also remain on the aircraft for an extended period of time to validate the robustness and reliability of its design.
Bombardier's dedicated Strategic Technology department has been evaluating, designing and developing new technologies to introduce safer, turn-key and state-of-the-art solutions to the civil aviation market. Other projects that highlight Bombardier's dedication to innovation include: development of a complete and generic fly-by-wire system with Parker Aerospace; research and development of composite structures using automated fiber-placement technology, as well as other composite manufacturing technologies.