Bombardier Business Aircraft recently completed its steep-approach certification flight-test campaign for the Challenger 350, with final approval expected later this year, the company announced yesterday. This certification will allow operators to perform landings under strict conditions, including the steep 5.5-degree approach angle and short runway at at London City Airport (LCY).
As part of the campaign, the test Challenger 350 performed several takeoffs and landings at LCY to demonstrate this operational capability. With this upcoming certification, all Bombardier super-midsize and ultra-long-range business jets will be capable of performing steep-approach landings. Currently, the Challenger 600 series and Global-family business jets have steep-approach approvals. Both the aircraft and flight crews must be authorized to conduct operations at LCY and other airports with steep approaches.
According to the company, existing Challenger 350 customers will be able to add the steep-approach capability as a retrofit option at Bombardier's service center network.