Bombardier yesterday formally introduced the Challenger 650, a refresh of the Challenger 605 model with upgrades to the cockpit and cabin that have enticed fractional-ownership giant NetJets to place a firm order for 25 of the large-cabin jets plus options for 50 more.
The Challenger 650 features the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21-based Vision flight deck, a version of Lufthansa Technik’s Nice cabin management system and new GE CF34-3B engines that produce 5 percent more thrust. The engines deliver shorter takeoff distance, more payload capacity and greater range, now stretched to 4,000 nm, according to Bombardier.
Features of the new twinjet in the front office include synthetic vision, Rockwell Collins MultiScan weather radar, optional HUD and the latest generation Collins flight management systems.
The NetJets order had previously been announced in 2012, when the new airpalne was code named the Challenger 605 NG. Deliveries of the $32.35 million Challenger 650, formally launched in Orlando, Florida, ahead of the NBAA Convention, are scheduled to begin in 2015.
Get exclusive online content like this delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for our free enewsletter.
We welcome your comments on flyingmag.com. In order to maintain a respectful environment, we ask that all comments be on-topic, respectful and spam-free. All comments made here are public and may be republished by Flying.
