How to improve the CRJ?
 

So I got thinking from the thread about BlowJet buying the CRJ Next Gen. Looked it up on Bombardier dot com if anyone is interested.

Looks like most of the improvement is in the cabin and no matter how you slice it, it's an awfully cramped place to be unless you're in the 'first class' (:rolleyes:) section. I suppose any improvement is better than no improvement, but seems like putting frosting on a piece of dog crap if you know what I mean.

Now I fly the CRJ and am after nearly 4 years slowly accepting it. But I only fly the -200 version. I have sat on the jumpseat of the -700 and thought that there were a number of meaningful improvements on that airplane.

- more power
- leading edge slats/revised wing = slower approach speeds, greater stability (or so it seemed from the jumpseat at FL380, a serious pucker factor altitude in the -200)
- simplification of a few systems.


But where could the next generation CRJ be improved from the cockpit perspective?

First I would have to suggest autothrottles. Seems like a luxury and all, but it supposedly does actually reduce fuel burn. And even a 1%-2% fuel burn improvement is significant.

Second, seems like the old-fashioned CRT screens out to be replaced with LCD. LCDs are used in a number of newer machines. It saves weight not only in the screen, but in the cooling and mounting hardware. There must be a couple hundred pounds to be saved with all that hardware and heavy screens.

Third, ????

Thoughts?

BTW, this comes from the fact that it's winter and not much to do on a Saturday afternoon.....

If you happen to be in California right now, it's sunny and about 80 degrees, with plenty to do. But my wife is out and expects me to be cleaning right now, so I'm sitting on here.

But I think autothrottles are an option. And LCDs would be nice.

Make it an ERJ?

Put the -700 engines on it.

-700 engines, fadec, auto-throttles, temperature controllers in the back that the FA's can use to set the temperature, automatic bleed switching (esp. with Anti-ice usage)

Lower the jumpseat about 4 inches and make it not feel like a plywood bicycle seat.

Turn it into beer cans

common bleed manifold, nicer nosewheel tires, automatic anti-ice system (how come the brazilians figured that one out, but the canadians didn't?), and the things other people mentioned (lcd, auto-throttle)...maybe an easier starting system.

some of these things are from the erj. i've flown both. some things are better on one, some things are better on the other. i'd rather fly the crj with those additions to it, though, than fly the erj, personally. although i do miss those ram's horns.

As far as the automatic anti ice is concerned, it is nice, assuming it's working properly. When you are climbing out and it's VFR, TAT/SAT are well above freezing and it just decides to kick on and off because the ice detectors are messed up, it's a pain. I'd rather have 100% control than the auto system it has. Besides, if it was truly automated, you would be able to take off with the packs on and not have to mess with the knob on the overhead panel what so ever.

Wait... give it the "Ahhhhh, mmmmm" legroom of the ERJ cockpit and the larger size CRT's but with the software of the CRJ. I miss that MFD banana dagnabit. Oh, and lose the ERJ jumpseat... can we say instant arthritis of the knees???