Phoenix rises with first flight

Project Phoenix celebrated its maiden flight of its first Phoenix CRJ on June 12. The aircraft flew for 1 hour 10 minutes from completion centre Flying Colours' facility at Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Test pilot Larry Ross said the aircraft performed a faultless flight. “The aircraft handled and performed perfectly with all systems and avionics operational. Our flight engineer reported an extremely quiet cabin,” he said.

The Phoenix features a 15-seat luxury interior with full internet and Satcomms. Project Phoenix says it will have a payload of more than 1,200lbs with full fuel including the long range auxiliary tank, or six passengers.

The first Phoenix CRJ to be completed