The Regional Jet program was launched on March 31, 1989, on the strength of 56 orders and six options. It was an instant market success. By mid-1990, Canadair held memoranda of agreement for 139 aircraft and options. On September 3, 1990, the Company announced plans to certificate two versions of the Regional Jet simultaneously--the standard Series 100 with a maximum gross weight of 21,546 kg (47,500 lb.) and a range of 1,561 km (970 mi.), and the Series 100ER with a gross weight of 23,134 kg (51,000 lb.) and a range of 2,620 km (1,630 mi.).
The CRJ made its maiden flight on May 10, 1991. Following an intensive 14-month flight test and certification program, Canadian type approval was awarded on July 31, 1992. The first aircraft was delivered to Lufthansa City Line in Berlin on October 19, and entered service on November 2.
A later version, the 100LR, is a 24,040-kilogram (53,000 lb.) gross aircraft which can carry 50 passengers 3,647 kilometres (2,266 mi.) at a normal cruise speed of 786 km/hr (424 kt.). As of December 16, 1994, 49 CRJs had been delivered, leaving a backlog of 42.
| Canadian Regional Jet |
| First flight: |
May 10, 1991 |
| Wingspan: |
21.21 m (69 ft. 7 in.) |
| Length: |
26.77 m (87 ft. 10 in.) |
| Height: |
26.22 m
(20 ft. 5 in.) |
| Ceiling: |
12,496 m (41,000 ft.) |
| Range: |
1,815 km |
| Weight: |
13,663 kg (30,122 lb.) |
| Power plant: |
Two General Electric CF34-3A-1 turbofan |
| Speed: |
850 km/h (459 kt) |
| Crew: |
2 |
| Accommodation: |
50 in one class configuration |
