Dec 30 2011

Program delays continue with the ARJ21 program

The continuing saga of program delays continue with the ARJ21 program in China. After failing to meet many of the program’s goals declared at the beginning of 2011, the Comac ARJ21-700 regional jet is finally ready to enter the type inspection authorisation (TIA) stage, nine years after the project began.

COMAC ARJ-21 Prototype B-1110L. Photographed by Peng Chen

COMAC ARJ-21 Prototype B-1110L. Photographed by Peng Chen

Comac said in a statement that the aircraft had undergone several airworthiness certification flight tests in 2011 as well as static tests that were completed on April 14, 2011. Also, the program completed crosswind landing tests on May 24th, 2011 as well. Flutter testing on the ARJ21 started on April 4th, 2011 and also was completed successfully, though behind the original 2011 program schedule.

Launch customer Chengdu Airlines was due to receive its first aircraft by the end of 2011, but the ongoing delays in the certification process have pushed back this event by up to a year.

In August, company officials said that they faced “problems” during the icing tests on the aircraft and that they could not complete them by a mid-2011 deadline. Stalling speed tests had also not begun by the deadline and as a result the program’s delays have extended to the point were it is entirely possible that the first delivery of an airframe to any operator may not occur until 2013.

Dec 22 2011

Iron bird tests begin on Mitsubishi Aircraft MRJ

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) program passed an important milestone with the developmental aircraft’s “iron bird” rig beginning testing on aircraft systems.

Mitsubishi Regional Jet

Mitsubishi Regional Jet

The MRJ’s iron bird rig is used to test flight deck, hydraulic and flight control equipment, and as well the software to be used aboard the MRJ. The testing rig is located at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Oye factility in Nagoya, where testing and development of the MRJ is continuing.

The iron bird tests will continue over the next three years. Mitsubishi Aircraft has also indicated that the 90-seat MRJ90 is due to conduct its first flight test in the second quarter of 2012.

Three customers have announced plans to buy the MRJ. Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has a firm order for 15 aircraft and 10 options, and US firm Trans States Holdings has a firm order for 50 aircraft and an option for 50 more. In June of 2011, Hong Kong-based leasing firm ANI Group Holdings signed a memorandum of understanding to buy five MRJs.

Dec 21 2011

Air Wisconsin CRJ200 Incident at Ottawa

On December 21st, 2011, an Air Wisconsin flight operating as US Airways Express and in those colors, had an inflight fire operating from Ottawa, Ontario to Charlotte, North Carolina. The aircraft, N434AW (MSN 7322) had fifty-two persons on board at the time.

The aircraft returned to Ottawa approximately one half hour after taking off for Charlotte, North Carolina. Ottawa firefighters and paramedics responded after reports of smoke in the cockpit were reported.  The plane landed safely, and there were no reported injuries.

The aircraft was inspected and returned to service soon afterwards.

Dec 19 2011

Estonian Air takes delivery of third CRJ900 NextGen aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace has delivered a third CRJ900 NextGen regional jet to Estonian Air. The jet will be delivered to the airline on January 16th, 2012 and its first operational flight will be on January 18th, 2012 on the Tallinn-Copenhagen route.

Estonian Air CRJ900 NextGen

Estonian Air CRJ900 NextGen

In addition to the  Boeing 737s and Saab 340s the airline operates, two new CRJ NextGen aircraft were delivered to the airline in the beginning of 2011. Estonian Air ordered three new CRJ900 NextGen aircraft in total from Bombardier.

Estonian Air is continuing negotiations with Bombardier to add more NextGen aircraft to its fleet with seven CRJ 900 regional jets in total as it’s current fleet goal..

Estonian Air flies to 25 destinations in CIS, Scandinavia and Europe. The airline has recently announced new destinations for next summer, such as Helsinki, Riga, Jyvaskyla, Hannover, Vienna, Venice, Kokkola/Pietarsaari, Joensuu, Kajaani and Tbilisi.