Question for CRJ-200 Pilots
 

A professor at my university has asked me to give a presentation to his class on the cockpit layout of the CRJ-200. We have a Flight Safety Matrix but I do not have enough experience to give a good presentation. What I want is your opinion on the layout of everything in the cockpit. What do you like about it? What could use some improvements? What would you like to change? How easy is it to access the information you need? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

From the right seat, my right knee hits the windshield wiper switch. Plus, it's a really sharp metal edge there. I'm 6'2" (188cm).

Overall, it's pretty good, though.

take a look at the 7/900, dual fms, dual wx control panel. would be nice not to have the jumpseater's knee rubbing up against my elbow. room to put my overnight bag up front would be nice as well.

CRJ-200's are not excluding from having dual FMS. Not all CRJ-7 and -9's have it either (SkyWest does not). Not all CRJ-7,-9's have dual WX controls (my current airline does not, even though it's got just about every option available, including HF radios).

Yes, I did forget how atrocious the CRJ-200 environmental controls are. And no FADEC or Autothrottles. The air conditioning is not up to the ability to keep the cabin cool on really hot days (200 only).

On the CRJ's with HUD, my head hits the huge bump coming out of the ceiling on the captains side.

1) a better spot for the overnight bag that doesn't require one to constantly fix their $300 rollerboard.

2) environmental controls leave a lot to be desired. When the engines are low on thrust the air stops blowing....really can be uncomfortable on descents on hot days.

3) Would be nice if the jumpseater was able to sit in the jumpseat and you could still move your seat back.

4) DC electric switch has claimed many a victim.

5) Put switch guards down below where dust and other crap settles and rocker switches above where they're not collect debris.

The keypad on my Commodore 64 was less of a PITA to use. The engines are incapable of supplying sufficient bleed air for the PACKS and anti-ice at the same time in the 200. Well, only when the flaps are out of zero. The generators in the 7/9 have an auto position, the hydraulics have SOVs, the fire test isn't comprised of 1,000,000 switches, the bleeds selector valves are much simpler in the 7/9, temp controllers work (as mentioned before), the integrated standby instrument is pretty handy in the 7/9 compared to the vibrating anti-stiction steam gauge standby instrument cluster in the 200. I'm going to bed.

The spare fuse holders on the FO's side need to be relocated. They stick out just far enough so that you can shear them off or knock the cap off with your flight kit. Pretty annoying!!!!

As others have said they need to take everything out of the 700/900 and put it in the 200. Think Bombardier learned their lesson on the 200 and fixed everything. Almost forgot 53 of Comair's 200's are going to make some nice beer cans in the next 2 years. An aircraft aluminum grade beer can will be nice and strong.

I believe there are circuit breakers down by your feet on the CRJ-200 (that aren't on the 7/9).

A cup holder that was big enough to actually hold a 12 oz. soda can would be nice.

Until the revolutionary tubberware containers were implemented, there was no place to put aircraft manuals where they were protected from the elements... they'd get wet and moldy over time, especially during winter/spring rainy seasons. A compartment like on the Next Gen CRJ-700s or even the Dash-8 would be suberb on all the -200 birds; of course, we only have 5 on property these days... so tubberware will do just fine.