Bombardier Licenses Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. to Provide Passenger-to-Freighter Conversions for CRJ100 and CRJ200 Aircraft

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 28, 2013) - Bombardier Aerospace announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) of Miami, Florida to become a Bombardier-licensed Third Party Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Provider for passenger-to-freighter conversions for CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft. The freighters will include a large cargo door and will be marketed by AEI as CRJ100 and CRJ200 Special Freighter (SF) aircraft.

"Bombardier's CRJ Series jetliners are the world's best-selling family of regional aircraft, and now AEI is offering an outstanding opportunity for additional utilization of the aircraft in the secondary aviation market," said Rod Sheridan, Vice President, Sales and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "As a conversion provider for CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft, AEI is offering yet another application for re-configuring aircraft that are being phased out by airlines transitioning to larger regional aircraft."

"Bombardier is reporting strong levels of interest for previously owned CRJ aircraft from both traditional and emerging sectors of the aviation industry. Over the last seven years, the CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft operator base has grown to 61 - an increase of some 118 per cent − clearly demonstrating the aircraft's strength and versatility in the secondary market," added Mr. Sheridan.

"The CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft's robust, reliable platform, along with their speed and economics, will set new standards for regional large cargo door freighters worldwide," said Robert Convey, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, AEI. "Following the team's market study, we found there is significant interest and opportunity for passenger-to-freighter conversions for the CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft. This makes for an affordable freighter application as traditional regional feed operators provide increased service to large cargo carriers."

AEI's conversion program will provide operators with a CRJ freighter aircraft capable of hauling a maximum payload of 6.7 tonnes. The freighter would come equipped with an Ancra cargo loading system capable of hauling pallets, containers or bulk loaded material. The Main Deck Cargo Door will be 94" (2.39 m) wide by 77" (1.96 m) high and feature AEI's proven hydraulic actuation and latching systems that have been installed on more than 375 freighters.

Additional, preliminary features for the CRJ100/CRJ200 SF aircraft include:

• Up to 6.7 tonne payload
• Total cabin volume of 1,864 cu. ft. (52.8 cu. m)
• 10,000 lb. (4 536 kg) payload can be flown 1,735 nm
• 15,000 lb. (6 804 kg) 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

About CRJ Series aircraft

The best-selling CRJ Series jetliner family includes the original 50-seat CRJ100/200, 70-seat CRJ700 and CRJ700 NextGen, 75-seat CRJ705, 88-seat CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen, and 100-seat CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft. Bombardier has delivered or received orders for more than 1,700 CRJ Series aircraft.

About AEI

Formed in 1958, Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is the oldest aircraft conversion company in existence today. For more than 50 years AEI has provided advanced engineering solutions to aircraft owners and operators. Today the company is a global leader in passenger-to-freighter conversions for a wide array of aircraft, helping customers extend the life of the aircraft and increase the value of their asset. AEI has developed over 120 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and 375+ aircraft have been modified with AEI STCs - more than any other conversion provider.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, we posted revenues of $16.8 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to editors

Images of CRJ200 SF aircraft are posted with this release at www.bombardier.com.

Additional information on CRJ100/CRJ200 aircraft is available at: www.commercial-usedaircraft-bombardier.com.

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.

Bombardier, CRJ, CRJ100, CRJ200, CRJ700,CRJ705, CRJ900, CRJ1000, NextGen and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.