Introduction and Origins
The Continental Jet was a high-comfort passenger aircraft, developed by the Canadian firm Bombardier Business Aircraft, a subsidiary of the Bombardier Corporation. This model was first unveiled on October 18, 1998, at the prestigious NBAA Convention held in Las Vegas.
Development and Collaborations
The first prototype of the Continental Jet was built in mid-2000, with its inaugural flight planned for June 2001. Several key companies participated in this ambitious project. AlliedSignal Inc. developed the new AS907 turbofan engines, while Rockwell Collins was responsible for the Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite.
Furthermore, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was in charge of wing development. Other notable companies contributing various fuselage parts and components included Aerospace Industry Development Corporation (AIDC), Messier-Dowty, Parker Aerospace, Liebherr Aerospace-Toulouse, and Shorts. Unfortunately, the project’s development was eventually discontinued.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Continental Jet |
| Wingspan, m | 19.79 |
| Aircraft length, m | 21.23 |
| Aircraft height, m | 6.15 |
| Wing area, m2 | 48.50 |
| Empty weight | 10800 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 17010 |
| Engine type | 2 AlliedSignal AS 907 Turbofan engines |
| Thrust, kN | 2 x 28.90 |
| Maximum cruising speed, km/h | 885 |
| Normal cruising speed, km/h | 872 |
| Economical speed, km/h | 787 |
| Practical range, km | 5740 |
| Service ceiling, m | 12500 |
| Crew, crew | 2 |
| Payload: | 8 VIP passengers |