N438SW

This article describes airframe N438SW, a Bombardier CRJ-200LR (CL-600-2B19) completed in 2001 with manufacturer serial number 7574. The airframe is owned by Corporate Flight Management Inc (dba Contour Aviation), a United States–based corporation, and is registered in the US as indicated by its N-number. The airframe retains the line standard configuration for its type and is typically managed and maintained under corporate/operator programs consistent with regional 50-seat jet operations. Operated by Contour Aviation as a corporate/charter-regional asset, the aircraft's condition and equipment fit reflect operator-specific choices within the CRJ-200LR retrofit and maintenance market.

The cabin for N438SW follows the typical 50-seat single-class regional layout standard for CRJ-200 passenger configurations, suitable for short- to medium-haul regional missions and charter work. Avionics are listed as Collins Pro Line with operator-specific fit variations; many CRJ-200 airframes of this vintage have been retrofitted with Pro Line 4 or similar packages, and this airframe's fit reflects that variability. Typical mission profiles for this airframe include regional scheduled routes, corporate charter, and ad hoc point-to-point services within its 1,700 nm range and at cruise speeds around 424 kts. Maintenance considerations for this airframe center on support for the GE CF34-3B1 engines and the airframe’s aging-system updates typical of early-2000s CRJ-200 airframes operated in the US market.

The Bombardier CRJ-200LR occupies the regional 50-seat jet niche, offering economical short-to-medium range performance and a 41,000 ft service ceiling suitable for low-altitude step climbs on regional sectors. Competing types in this market segment historically include stretched turboprops and other regional jets offering similar capacity; however, the CRJ-200’s operating economics and parts support hinge on CF34 engine availability and aftermarket support. Resale and maintenance considerations for a 2001-built CRJ-200LR such as N438SW emphasize engine shop visits, avionics retrofit choices (e.g., Collins Pro Line upgrades), and fleet commonality with regional operators or charter specialists.