Bombardier Aerospace announced on February 28th, 2013 that in cooperation with Aeronautical Engineers Miami, the manufacturer has granted approval for the company to become a Supplemental Type Certificate Provider for passenger to freighter conversions for CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft. As part of the conversion to the freighter role, the aircraft will have a large cargo door added and will be marketed by AEI as CRJ100 and CRJ200 Special Freighter (SF) aircraft.
The conversion will create a CRJ freighter aircraft capable of hauling a maximum payload of 6.7 tonnes. The aircraft would come with an Ancra cargo loading system capable of hauling pallets, containers or bulk loaded material. The Main Deck Cargo Door would be 94 inches wide by 77 inches high.
The complete stats for the CRJ100/CRJ200 SF aircraft are:
- Up to 6.7 tonne payload
- Total cabin volume of 1,864 cubic feet
- 10,000 lb. payload can be flown 1,735 nm
- 15,000 lb. payload can be flown 800 nm
- Dual vent door system
- Rigid 9G barrier
- Main deck converted to Class “E” Cargo Compartment
- Cabin windows replaced with lightweight aluminum window plugs