Bombardier has secured European certification for the Challenger 650 business jet, paving the way for deliveries of the large-cabin twin to begin on the continent.
The Challenger 650 is the fifth iteration of the 600 series which was introduced in the late 1970s.
Replacing the Challenger 605 in service, this latest version features GE Aviation CF34-3B engines, a Bombardier Vision flightdeck – based on the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics system – and a redesigned interior.
Bombardier
The first Challenger 650 entered service in the fourth quarter of 2015 with fractional ownership provider NetJets. The operator is the largest customer for the $32.4 million, 10-seat type with an order for up to 75 units. Flightglobal’s Fleets Analyzer database records a fleet of seven Challenger 650s in service with NetJets' US-based programme, out of total deliveries of 11 aircraft.
The NetJets order is a welcome boost for Bombardier which has seen sales and shipments of its large-cabin offering slide due to weak demand in the sector. Last year the company delivered 25 Challenger 605/650s – down from 36 in 2014.
Source: Flight International
