Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Bombardier has launched technology cost/benefit studies after the first meeting of its BRJ-X airline advisory council confirmed that potential customers for the 90-seat regional jet are looking for the lowest possible operating cost.
The council conducted preliminary talks on fly-by-wire versus conventional flight controls, steel versus carbon brakes and other systems alternatives. "Costs are key," says Steve Ridolfi, vice-president, marketing and aircraft programmes, at Bombardier Regional Aircraft. "Any technology that does not help [reduce fuel, crew, maintenance and ownership costs] is a waste."
The BRJ-X advisory council consists of 14 airlines from seven countries, representing the company's core customers. The panel, which includes regional and mainline carriers from Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, "-re-affirmed that we are heading in the right direction", Ridolfi says.
Participating airlines were shown a "pretty solid" configuration with 90 seats, a 45,500kg (100,000lb) gross weight and 19,000-22,000lb (85-98kN) thrust underwing engines. Bombardier has selected a five-abreast, 3.26m (10ft 8in) wide, "double-bubble" fuselage cross-section to maximise cabin and underfloor baggage volume, Ridolfi says.
Powerplants being considered for the BRJ-X are the BMW Rolls-Royce BR715, CFM International CFM56-9 and Pratt &Whitney PW6000. "Preliminary discussions" are under way with the engine manufacturers, Ridolfi says. Windtunnel tests of the wing and nacelle will begin in January.
Bombardier plans to decide on whether to proceed with the BRJ-X in the third quarter of 1999. If it goes ahead, all risk sharing partners will be selected, a joint conceptual definition phase completed and the configuration frozen before the programme is formally launched.
The Canadian company is aiming for a 36-month cycle time from formal launch to certification, one year shorter than its previous development programmes.
The "clearly ambitious" schedule calls for certification of the $26 million aircraft in 2003, according to John Holding, Bombardier Aerospace executive vice-president, engineering.
Source: Flight International
