Flying Colours begins work on CRJ200 conversion

Flying Colours has begun
work on a conversion of the Bombardier CRJ 200. The company has converted 12
CRJ’s to the ‘ExecLiner’ executive VIP format. Flying Colours is working with
the private owner’s designer Harry Schnaper, its lead in-house designer Kate
Ahrens and its engineering team to create externally and internally what will
be its most complex, bespoke ExecLiner conversion yet.

The aircraft will
incorporate a number of “firsts” which have involved extensive engineering and
design innovation from the Flying Colours team. A clean sheet design shower
will be included in the aft lavatory and will be the first time a CRJ
conversion has had one installed. The aft cabin will be equipped with a customised
pivoting bed.

The cockpit will feature Elbit systems’ heads-up-display and
Infra-Red Synthetic Vision System. To remove smoke, galley smells and ensure
clean cabin air at all times an integrated smoke extraction system has been
custom-designed by Flying Colours to remove smoke from the cabin while
inflight.

The forward aircraft cabin
features six electric seats, which have been manufactured in cooperation with
AST Seating. There is also a compartment in the seats for holding iPads and an
extensive enhanced IFE
system.

The cabin will also include
a True North phone system with five phone lines and a pair of matching pull-out
desks for laptops in the main cabin that have been configured to support Windows
or Mac operating systems.

The aircraft will have a
custom designed wood veneer finish. The galley and annex area features similar
wood inlays and platinum hardware with all modern appliances.

“The client wanted an
aircraft completely personalised to his requirements. He wanted to sleep,
shower, and effectively have the option to live on his aircraft when travelling
on business. He also wanted to maximise his investment so the CRJ conversion
was the perfect solution for him. With the high specification design to be
implemented by the Flying Colours team he is effectively benefitting from a
cabin with features similar to a narrow body aircraft, but without the
associated cost,” said Eric Gillespie, Flying Colours director and project
manager for the conversion.

The certification will be
based on an existing STCs held by Flying Colours Corp. but final certification
will be completed through a new FAA STC. It is anticipated the aircraft will be
finished in the spring of 2013 and will be available for limited charter
through Maine Aviation based in Portland
Maine.

Flying Colours will be exhibiting at
EBACE in Geneva.