General Electric has begun studies on a new engine for application on a proposed new 50-seat jet from Embraer. Rolls-Royce AE3007s now power the Brazilian manufacturer’s 50-seat ERJ 145 and 37-seat ERJ 135, the backlogs for which stand at their lowest levels since the late 1990s. Both Embraer and Bombardier have begun studies into 50-seat jets for introduction some time after 2010, when a host of CRJs and ERJs flying today come due for heavy maintenance checks.

Speaking at last month’s RAA convention, GE marketing general manager Ron Hutter said the company has also embarked on a program to cut operating costs on its CF34-3 series by increasing time on wing by 10 percent and relaxing limits on many of the items required during overhaul.