Transport Canada Gives Nod to Challenger 650

Bombardier Business Aircraft’s large-cabin Challenger 650 received Transport Canada certification, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer announced today. Customer deliveries are expected to start by year-end, about six months later than originally planned when the latest version of the 600-series Challenger was launched at the NBAA Convention last year. The aircraft will make its North American debut next week at NBAA 2015 in Las Vegas; this follows its world debut at EBACE in May.

“This latest milestone starts a new chapter in our Challenger family story,” said Bombardier Business Aircraft COO Paul Sislian. “We are confident that it will earn the appreciation of executives, pilots and operators around the world.”

In the front end, the $33.25 million Challenger 650 features the Bombardier Vision flight deck, based on the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics system, with 15-inch displays. It also has head-up guidance, synthetic vision, enhanced vision, MultiScan weather radar and an Integrated Flight Information System. The 650’s passenger cabin includes wider seats, a galley with a convection oven, more storage in and around the seats and an audio/video-on-demand system.

The new jet's 9,220-pound-thrust GE CF34-3BMTO engines have 5 percent more takeoff thrust than those on the Challenger 605. The additional thrust is pilot selectable via a new performance thrust setting.