Flying Colours, an international maintenance, repair and overhaul business, has confirmed signing an agreement for a CRJ 200 regional airliner conversion. The new client, a charter operator customer, anticipates using the aircraft to satisfy rising charter demand from corporate customers, sports teams and music group tours, and to strengthen its fleet portfolio at a time when business aircraft are in high demand. The corporate shuttle interior will feature 29 seats, with six business jet seats and a divan at the front of the cabin, and a further 20 seats configured airline style at the aft of the cabin. Gogo Avance connectivity will power passenger connectivity keeping travellers productive and entertained in flight. Further cabin comforts include storage at the fore and aft of the cabin for small suitcases and other carry-on items, as well as additional storage for small items including briefcases, purses, and laptops in the side ledges. A forward galley and aft lavatory also feature. Externally, a new fuselage paint scheme will be applied at the Flying Colours state-of-the-art paint shop in Peterborough. Each conversion made by Flying Colours is delivered with a two-year warranty and maintenance performed by Flying Colours as required.  The CRJ conversion work will be performed at Flying Colours’ St. Louis, Mo. and Peterborough, Ont. facilities.

With airline routes reduced owing to COVID-19 impacts, many regional jets are now hangered by airlines, of which a number are willing to discuss sales for conversion purposes. “Business aviation needs an influx of available aircraft and the airlines are looking to sell. The regional jet conversion provides an excellent choice for owners seeking a fully customized aircraft and we have seen more inquiries in the last six months than the last few years. We can adapt the design to specific budgets, while delivering an as-new aircraft, inside and out, for a competitive fee. In a market where good aircraft are hard to find, and new production aircraft waiting times are long, conversions provide an excellent solution for operators who want to quickly access aircraft,” says Eric Gillespie, Flying Colours executive vice-president.

Flying Colours has extensive experience in the field having already performed more than 30 regional jet conversions, along with some 15 green CRJ 200 VIP completions. Efficient re-entry into service is supported by numerous supplemental type certificates Flying Colours holds for this type.  As a leader in CRJ conversions, Flying Colours has delivered aircraft in every possible configuration: corporate shuttle, VIP, medevac, special mission, multi-purpose and in Flying Colours own VVIP ExecLiner format. Featuring a 14-seat, highly customized interior, the finished ExecLiner airframe is comparable in size with a large cabin jet and has the performance characteristics of a super mid-size jet, delivering customers a spacious, mid-range aircraft for a lower cost. Flying Colours has also design engineered optional auxiliary tanks which extend range from to 2,000 up to 3,100 nautical miles.