UCS AVIATION
Historically the cost of developing private jets capable of flying
At the time of writing, 1 100 Challenger 600 series aircraft
fast and far was prohibitive, and so comfort - even perhaps
have been manufactured and have logged some 7.3 million
fuel and maintenance - were ‘compromised’. Although this is
flying hours over 4.5 million flights. These impressive statistics
no longer the case, we should perhaps consider the ‘journey’
ensure that the Challenger 600 holds the position as leader in
private air travel has taken.
the business jet industry.
In the early 1970s, Bill Lear, the father of the renowned Learjet
Comfortable and luxurious, the Challenger 600 is one of those
(and inventor of the first car radio – his slightly lesser-known
rare aircraft with an adoring public in both pilots – who love to fly
accomplishment), had conceptualised the prototype ‘Lear
them – and passengers who love to fly in them.
Star 600’ business jet. Canadair accepted the project and
Even as a more economical mid-size business jet, it has
using Bill’s personal ties with the then future prime minister of
impressive performance. It cruises at 41 000 feet at 443 knots
Canada, Jean Chrétien, the company helped fund the further
(some 820 km/h) and achieves a range of 2 909 nautical miles
development of the ‘Lear Star 600’.
while still complying with regulations and fuel reserves.
In the late ‘70s, Canadair (which was later purchased by
This remarkable performance is achieved by two turbo-fan
Bombardier Airspace) dropped Bill Lear and proceeded with the
Lycoming ALF 502 L engines with thrust reversers and four
development of the Challenger 600 series aircraft without him. In
sources of backup power, as well as an APU (auxiliary power
1978, the first test flight was performed, wowing its audience, and
unit) that provides the ever-needed ‘redundancy’ as well as
by the early 1980s, commercial production had begun.
power and air-conditioning, while the engines are shut down
The Challenger 600 was, and in many aspects, remains, one-ofa-kind. It was the first aircraft that offered a wide body, airliner style
and the aircraft is parked. With a maximum take-off weight of 41 250 pounds, it
cabin with ‘walk about’ experience for its passengers. Apart from
requires only 1 737 metres of runway at sea level and a mere
providing additional comfort to its passengers, it was also the first
930 metres of runway elsewhere to complete landing at
time that supercritical airfoil (or wings) were designed for business
maximum landing weight.
jets, allowing the Challenger 600 excellent economy while retaining speed and range.
Even though the Challenger 600 was released before EFIS was available (electronic flight instrument system – what pilots like to
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by Rob Gobac
KING LE AR OF THE SKIES - CHALLENGER 600 Business jet flight was once associated primarily with an extravagant lifestyle. Now, it’s an essential mode of transport for many business professionals and private individuals who want the reliability of airliners, combined with the comfort and safety of modern-tech business jets.
