Bombardier CRJ700 series: Difference between revisions

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m (Update versioning information/use new rating in infobox)
(Copied Thorsten's review from the FG forums. I hope he doesn't mind.)
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Version 1.0.0 is available in FlightGear/Git. Latest stable 1.0.1 is available [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11863&start=150#p128000 on the FlightGear Forums].
Version 1.0.0 is available in FlightGear/Git. Latest stable 1.0.1 is available [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11863&start=150#p128000 on the FlightGear Forums].
=Aircraft of the Week/Month=
The CRJ700 was reviewed by Thorsten B as part of the "Aircraft of the Week/Month" feature on the FlightGear Forums.
====Model====
The 3d cockpit of the CRJ-700 is very detailed and contains not only functionality on the main panel but also on the central console and an overhead panel. However, as often seen, the cockpit surfaces not covered by instrumentation are very simply textured by a monochromatic grey color - a more natural texture resembling a real material with some wear and tear could add a lot here.
[http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/pics/crj700-cockpit.jpg View image]
There is a lot of functionality in the cockpit - a startup procedure using the APU is supported as well as a full set of external lights and no-smoking and seat belt signs for the passengers. A nice touch of the model is that it also contains an interior view of the cabin in which the signs can be observed. Switches and knobs are usually animated, and the clickspots are placed fairly intuitively. The MFD's all have various selectable functions.
The exterior model of the aircraft is also very nicely done, contains good animations and shows all the light switch settings in the cockpit faithfully. An option to switch livery exists as well.
[http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/pics/crj700-model.jpg View image]
====Flight characteristics====
The FDM of the CRJ-700 is quite plausible for an airliner of its size. I haven't really tested the behaviour at the edge of the performance envelope, but during normal operations, the plane behaves well and reaches basic performance characteristics. All in all, the plane is an airliner (albeit a small one) - it turns slowly, it does not descent rapidly without picking up a lot of excess speed and all maneuvers need to be planned well in advance. Having said that, it's actually fun to fly.
I found the AP nicely tuned and able to fly turns, climb or dive at all altitudes without oscillations or weird behaviour. Unfortunately, the support for AP modes involving navaids is not as good: While I could home in on a VOR station, the AP seems to be tracking the station rather than the chosen radial, i.e. the angle under which I approached the station kept changing. Also, I was unable to intercept an ILS glideslope automatically. However, the plane can be operated well in IFR conditions just using the instruments to display the navaid signals and the heading and altitude modes of the AP to control the plane.
====My personal wishlist====
Fixing the AP to a more consistent behaviour with navaids would be high on my priority list - there are currently very few airliners with a well-tuned AP capable of tracking navaids. Some more natural texturing in the cockpit would also be nice. I realize that the CRJ-700 is a fairly recent addition to the aircraft repository of Flightgear - but I like where the model is going very much.
====Things to experience====
Try flying at night - the CRJ-700 has one of the best light concepts I've ever seen. The instrument lights are very beautifully done and can be dimmed at need, the cabin lights likewise, and all lighting is visible both from internal and external views.
''Editor's note: The autopilot VOR-LOC/ILS holds have been fixed in the CRJ700's master branch at Gitorious.''


=Development status/Issues/Todo=
=Development status/Issues/Todo=

Revision as of 19:51, 2 August 2011

Bombardier CRJ700 series
The Bombardier CRJ700
The Bombardier CRJ700
Type Regional airliner
Author(s)
  • Ryan Miller (see also Docs
  • Authors.html)
FDM YASim
--aircraft= various
Status Early production
 FDM Stars-3.png
 Systems Stars-3.png
 Cockpit Stars-4.png
 Model Stars-4.png
Development
 Repository The development repository of the Bombardier CRJ700 series.
Download Download the Bombardier CRJ700 series aircraft package for the current stable release (2020.3).
The 3d cockpit of the CRJ700 series
The cockpit at night, demonstrating night lighting capabilities
The interior cabin, also at night

The Bombardier CRJ700 series is a family of 70- to 100- seat regional jet airliners manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace. Its primary competition is the Embraer E-jet series. The family consists of the Bombardier CRJ700, CRJ900, and CRJ1000. The CRJ700 series was developed from the Bombardier CRJ200, and remains one of the most popular regional airliner series in the world.

Variants

  • CRJ700 - the original CRJ700
  • CRJ700ER - extended range version
  • CRJ700LR - long-range version
  • CRJ900 - the first stretch of the airframe
  • CRJ900ER - extended range version
  • CRJ900LR - long-range version
  • CRJ1000 - the final stretch of the airframe
  • CRJ1000 EuroLite - low-range/low-cost version targeted at European operators
  • CRJ1000ER - extended range version

Aircraft help

HTML documentation is included in the Docs/ folder.

Key Function
Speedbrakes/spoilers
Ctrl-B Cycle speedbrake setting
j Decrease ground lift dump setting
k Increase ground lift dump setting
Engines
Ctrl-T Cycle engine thrust modes
Ctrl-Delete Arm/disarm thrust reversers
Delete Toggle thrust reversers
Autopilot/autothrottle
Ctrl-A Toggle autopilot altitude mode
Ctrl-F Engage/disengage autopilot
Ctrl-G Toggle autopilot approach mode
Ctrl-H Toggle autopilot heading mode
Ctrl-N Toggle autopilot NAV mode
Ctrl-P Set autopilot basic pitch mode
Ctrl-S Engage/disengage autothrottle
Ctrl-W Set autopilot basic heading/roll mode
F6 Cycle NAV source
Tiller/Nose gear steering
q Steer tiller left
Q Set tiller to full left
w Center tiller
W Pop up tiller dialog
e Steer tiller right
E Set tiller to full right
Walk view
r Walk forward toward view
R Run forward toward view
f Walk backwards from view

Simplified procedures

Startup

  1. Battery switch ... on
  2. APU start/stop switch ... on
  3. Bleed air source ... APU
  4. Engine 1 thrust lever ... idle
  5. Engine 1 start sequence ... initiated
  6. Engine 2 thrust lever ... idle
  7. Engine 2 start sequence ... initiated
  8. APU start/stop switch ... off
  9. Engine 1 electric generator ... on
  10. Engine 2 electric generator ... on
  11. Battery switch ... off

Takeoff

  1. Flaps/slats ... 8 or 20
  2. Landing lights ... on
  3. Engine thrust modes ... TO/GA

Climb and cruise

  1. Engine thrust modes ... climb
  2. Autothrottle ... set

Nominal cruise speed Mach 0.78 (0.80 for CRJ900)

Approach and landing

  1. Thrust reversers ... armed
  2. Flaps/slats ... 45

Remain below 250 knots below 10,000 feet at all times

Shutdown

  1. Engine thrust levers ... shutoff
  2. Engine 1 electric generator ... off
  3. Engine 2 electric generator ... off
  4. Switch to external power

Downloading

Version 1.0.0 is available in FlightGear/Git. Latest stable 1.0.1 is available on the FlightGear Forums.

Aircraft of the Week/Month

The CRJ700 was reviewed by Thorsten B as part of the "Aircraft of the Week/Month" feature on the FlightGear Forums.

Model

The 3d cockpit of the CRJ-700 is very detailed and contains not only functionality on the main panel but also on the central console and an overhead panel. However, as often seen, the cockpit surfaces not covered by instrumentation are very simply textured by a monochromatic grey color - a more natural texture resembling a real material with some wear and tear could add a lot here.

View image

There is a lot of functionality in the cockpit - a startup procedure using the APU is supported as well as a full set of external lights and no-smoking and seat belt signs for the passengers. A nice touch of the model is that it also contains an interior view of the cabin in which the signs can be observed. Switches and knobs are usually animated, and the clickspots are placed fairly intuitively. The MFD's all have various selectable functions.

The exterior model of the aircraft is also very nicely done, contains good animations and shows all the light switch settings in the cockpit faithfully. An option to switch livery exists as well.

View image

Flight characteristics

The FDM of the CRJ-700 is quite plausible for an airliner of its size. I haven't really tested the behaviour at the edge of the performance envelope, but during normal operations, the plane behaves well and reaches basic performance characteristics. All in all, the plane is an airliner (albeit a small one) - it turns slowly, it does not descent rapidly without picking up a lot of excess speed and all maneuvers need to be planned well in advance. Having said that, it's actually fun to fly.

I found the AP nicely tuned and able to fly turns, climb or dive at all altitudes without oscillations or weird behaviour. Unfortunately, the support for AP modes involving navaids is not as good: While I could home in on a VOR station, the AP seems to be tracking the station rather than the chosen radial, i.e. the angle under which I approached the station kept changing. Also, I was unable to intercept an ILS glideslope automatically. However, the plane can be operated well in IFR conditions just using the instruments to display the navaid signals and the heading and altitude modes of the AP to control the plane.

My personal wishlist

Fixing the AP to a more consistent behaviour with navaids would be high on my priority list - there are currently very few airliners with a well-tuned AP capable of tracking navaids. Some more natural texturing in the cockpit would also be nice. I realize that the CRJ-700 is a fairly recent addition to the aircraft repository of Flightgear - but I like where the model is going very much.

Things to experience

Try flying at night - the CRJ-700 has one of the best light concepts I've ever seen. The instrument lights are very beautifully done and can be dimmed at need, the cabin lights likewise, and all lighting is visible both from internal and external views.


Editor's note: The autopilot VOR-LOC/ILS holds have been fixed in the CRJ700's master branch at Gitorious.

Development status/Issues/Todo

Key features

  • Startup and shutdown procedures
  • Mostly complete cockpit
  • Realistic autopilot
  • Small library of tutorials
  • Cockpit, cabin, and exterior model lightmaps
  • Reflection shader on the engines
  • Developed aircraft systems
  • Tiller steering system

Todo

For rating information, see Formalizing Aircraft Status.

FDM (current rating 3)

  • Make something a little more refined than my YASim solution (any JSBSim masters?)

Exterior (current rating 4)

  • Add minor elements like antennas, ram air turbine, improve gear bay texturing and geometry
  • More liveries!

Flight deck (current rating 4)

  • Model circuit breakers
  • Add more buttons/switches
  • Improve texturing
  • Model interactive CDUs (and hence VNAV capability for the autopilot)

Systems (current rating 3)

  • Find a real startup procedure and model it
  • Improve electrical system
  • Add more pages to EICAS

External links