King Lear of the Skies - Challenger 600

Historically the cost of developing private jets capable of flying fast and far was prohibitive, and so comfort - even perhaps fuel and maintenance - were ‘compromised’. Although this is no longer the case, we should perhaps consider the ‘journey’ private air travel has taken.

In the early 1970s, Bill Lear, the father of the renowned Learjet (and inventor of the first car radio – his slightly lesser-known accomplishment), had conceptualised the prototype ‘Lear Star 600’ business jet. Canadair accepted the project and using Bill’s personal ties with the then future prime minister of Canada, Jean Chrétien, the company helped fund the further development of the ‘Lear Star 600’.

In the late ‘70s, Canadair (which was later purchased by Bombardier Airspace) dropped Bill Lear and proceeded with the development of the Challenger 600 series aircraft without him. In 1978, the first test flight was performed, wowing its audience, and by the early 1980s, commercial production had begun.

The Challenger 600 was, and in many aspects, remains, one-ofa-kind. It was the first aircraft that offered a wide body, airliner style cabin with ‘walk about’ experience for its passengers. Apart from providing additional comfort to its passengers, it was also the first time that supercritical airfoil (or wings) were designed for business jets, allowing the Challenger 600 excellent economy while retaining speed and range.

At the time of writing, 1 100 Challenger 600 series aircraft have been manufactured and have logged some 7.3 million flying hours over 4.5 million flights. These impressive statistics ensure that the Challenger 600 holds the position as leader in the business jet industry.

Comfortable and luxurious, the Challenger 600 is one of those rare aircraft with an adoring public in both pilots – who love to fly them – and passengers who love to fly in them.

Even as a more economical mid-size business jet, it has impressive performance. It cruises at 41 000 feet at 443 knots (some 820 km/h) and achieves a range of 2 909 nautical miles while still complying with regulations and fuel reserves.

This remarkable performance is achieved by two turbo-fan Lycoming ALF 502 L engines with thrust reversers and four sources of backup power, as well as an APU (auxiliary power unit) that provides the ever-needed ‘redundancy’ as well as power and air-conditioning, while the engines are shut down and the aircraft is parked.

With a maximum take-off weight of 41 250 pounds, it requires only 1 737 metres of runway at sea level and a mere 930 metres of runway elsewhere to complete landing at maximum landing weight.

Even though the Challenger 600 was released before EFIS was available (electronic flight instrument system – what pilots like to

by Rob Gobac

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.

call the ‘glass cockpit’), its electromechanical instrumentation was well- designed and reliable. Most of the Challengers flying today will have one or another modification to their instrumentation panels, with partial or full EFIS panels installed. The flight deck is spacious with well-placed instruments and controls, and even though it might lack Bombardier’s more modern, ergonomic layout, it’s in no way uncomfortable.

Nose wheel steering is operated by tiller, which allows for improved manoeuvrability of this 21 metre-long aircraft (with an elegant 20 metre wingspan) in the confined spaces of crowded, modern airports.

The passenger cabin is around 1 146 metric feet of space (some 350 cubic metres) and boasts a forward galley and, ordinarily, an 11-seat configuration. The seats are designed in club seating configuration with a divan at the back and a spacious lavatory separated by wall and lockable door from the rest of the cabin. In this 8.2 by 6.1 foot cabin, luxury is all but humble. There is a noticeable feeling of space in the Challenger 600, equivalent to a rather comfortable lounge, and distinguishable from the typically cramped, business-jet-cabin-feel of its competitors.

As a pilot, I feel privileged to have an opportunity to fly this beautiful aircraft and enjoy every aspect of its comfort, safety and performance.

I am looking forward to having you on board our Challenger, and sharing with you the pure pleasure of business jet flying in this magnificent aircraft.

COMFORTABLE AND LUXURIOUS, THE CHALLENGER 600 IS ONE OF THOSE RARE AIRCRAFT WITH AN ADORING PUBLIC IN BOTH PILOTS – WHO LOVE TO FLY THEM – AND PASSENGERS WHO LOVE TO FLY IN THEM.