Bombardier has received European and US approval for the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated flight deck and aircraft window modifications in its Challenger 605 business jet. The approvals complete the initial certification effort for the large cabin aircraft which is scheduled to enter service next year.

The Challenger 605 was launched a year ago as a replacement to the best-selling 604 model,the last of which is being completed in the US by Midcoast Aviation and is earmarked for delivery in the second quarter of 2007.

The 605 model offers a redesigned cabin and larger windows but the biggest change is the  Collins Pro Line 21 flightdeck, the same integrated avionics as the smaller Challenger 300. Four 255 x 305mm (10 x 12in) liquid-crystal displays replace the 604’s smaller cathode-ray tubes and provide 55% more display area. New primary flight display features include full-width artificial horizon, stall indication, flightpath vector and angle-of-attack gauge. Electronic Jeppesen charts on the multifunction display are introduced as standard on the 605. An arm-mounted touchscreen on the co-pilot’s side console, which controls the new Collins Airshow 21 cabin electronic system, can also display geo-referenced charts.

The cabin is redesigned to add more width, while galley storage space is increased and lavatory ergonomics improved. More reliable and durable LED cabin lighting has also been introduced. The cabin windows are 50mm (2in) taller than those on its 604 predecessor and moved 65mm higher.

Three floorplans are offered, from a baseline nine-passenger layout similar to the 604’s to a new 11-seat interior with smaller lavatory.

Source: FlightGlobal.com