I highly doubt that we'll ever see the CSeries fly at a regional. Bombardier has carefully been developing this aircraft from a fresh sheet, using the latest technologies, such as composite wings, the GTF, and the best aerodynamics possible for a transonic aircraft. It is optimized to fill a niche between the E195 and the smallest Airbuses and Boeings, replacing DC-9's, MD-80's, Fokker 100's, and perhaps 737's and A318/19's at some airlines. None of these aircraft have ever been flown at a regional in the U.S.

I'm actually a little surprised that Swiss will be using the CS100 to replace their Avro RJ100's, but it really does make sense, since it will have a slightly larger capacity, much better fuel efficiency, and the necessary performance to get in and out of London City and some of the more demanding airports in the Alps. Keep in mind too that for Swiss, the Avro RJ100 was flown as a mainline aircraft, not for a subsidiary.

I'm really excited that this will almost certainly fly since the Lufthansa deal is firm now. Hopefully the GTF's won't have too many teething problems.

Here are a couple of the latest computer generated images, as it should appear in production form with its composite wing and GTF's.










More info, included a bunch of pictures and specs, can be found on Bombardier's website for the CSeries.

 

Gents, if I'm not mistaken, only in the U.S. are the "RJ" pilots paid wages that qualify them and their families for public assistance.

 

You Sir are not Mistaken

 

Quite sad isn't it? Look at the situation the US is in. All because people were greedy. Americans.....

 

No it isn't. Swiss European Air Lines flies the 100's and is a subsidiary (REGIONAL) of Swiss International Air Lines.

 

No, they haven't. Compare the price + fuel efficiency of a Boeing/Airbus to a E-190/195. It's like comparing a quality vehicle to a Kia and saying they're the same because they have the same seating capacity. Do you really think you're going to see Embraers lasting as long as DC-9s have? Lets not kid ourselves. These smaller aircraft manufacturers like Bombardier/Embraer make "throw-away planes". Cheap to buy, cheap to fly, and about as reliable as a junk yard korean car.

 

historically speaking you are correct. they have been refining their aircraft building skills for several decades now. in this new global market the ability to apply new technologies at a record pace and pick from a global marketplace of talent you can do amazing things. as i see it boeing and airbus are the ones on the decline. they cant seem to get a damn thing done on time, and have all the excuses in the world. when in boeings situation they tried subcontracting it all out to do it cheaper and its killing them. a chinese russian spanish peruvian built boeing is not what our forefathers were flying.

 

I hope to god you are right. If not, all we are doing is stealing our future, Major Airline higher paid, jobs away from ourselves as regional pilots. In my opinion the CRJ 1000 (90 seater that is predicted to come to the regionals) is already a threat to that higher paid Major Airline job that most of us want as regional pilots. I don't want the regional airline to become my career unless we can be compensated appropriately. The regionals use to be a stepping stone to the job we want to be at but if we are not careful will be exploited into accepting half of what we are worth throughout our entire career. This trend of shrinking Majors and expanding regionals should be a concern for us and our economic potential as professional pilots. Personally I don't know whos shoulders this lies on to fight against happening; the major guys or us (where's ALPA)?

 

well strictly speaking, 110 and 130 seat rj's are just right out (i hope someone gets the monty pyton joke)

before we get to saying where the line needs to be. i think that all "regional" pilots should understand that unless they REALLY like the lifestyle they should stick it out at there company.

for me, i believe that any single legs over 300 NM should be flown by mainline aircraft and aircrew. anything under that COULD be flown by a "regional" carrier. i think the shift that was made was from props to jets, (in the "regional" world really 3825'ed everything up for everyone.

 

I predict within 10 years, it is 130 ft long, competing with the 3rd generation 737.