Country of origin:

Canada

Description:

Business and executive aircraft

Power Plant:

Two 8,650 lbst General Electric CF34-1A turbofans

Specifications:

History:

One of the newer era of modern technology high-performance long-range executive jets, the prototype of the series, the CL-600 Challenger, was flown for the first time on 8 November 1978 powered by 7,500 lbst Avco Lycoming ALF 504L turbofans. This aircraft was lost during certification trials in a deep stall accident. Two further prototypes were built to complete the test program, these being flown for the first time on 17 March and 14 July 1979 respectively.

In its basic version, the Challenger had a flight crew of two, side-by-side in the cockpit, and the cabin could be arranged for optional layouts of up to 18 seats in the commuter airline role, or less when used in the business and executive role.

At first it was decided to produce the Challenger in three variants, the basic CL-600, customer deliveries of which began in late 1980; the CL-601 with up-rated engines and winglets; and the similarly powered CL-610 Challenger E with a fuselage lengthened by 2.67 m (8 ft 9 in). However, in August 1981, after re-assessment of the latter model, its development was postponed and the type was produced in only two models.

The basic design was developed by the late William Lear in the early 1970s, was crystallised as the Lear Star 600 fitted with a super-critical wing and was powered by two 6,500 lbst Avco Lycoming ALF 502D high by-pass turbofans. In October 1976, Canadair, formerly the Canadian subsidiary of General Dynamics and later owned by the Canadian Federal Government, acquired rights to the design, and development of the design proceeded, the size of the aircraft being increased, it finally becoming known as the first wide-body cabin business jet.

The second prototype carried out some of its flight test program at Mojave and, on 5 June 1979, was flown 5,736 km (3,565 miles) non-stop from Montreal, Canada, to the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget in 7 hours 21 minutes. The third prototype, and first production aircraft, later joined the test program, all these aircraft amassing some 1,600 hours up to the time of certification.

In 1983 Canadair dropped the Model 600 from the line because of problems with the power output from the Avco Lycoming engines, and produced only the CL-601 with General Electric engines. The CL-601 was a re-design of the 600, with major improvements to aerodynamics, including fitting of winglets. Fuel load was increased to 3,016 kg (6,665 lb) and General Electric CF34-1A turbofans of 8,650 lbst were fitted. This engine gave more thrust and better specific fuel consumption. However, it was heavier than the Avco Lycomings, and the rear fuselage, engine pylons, and nacelles had to be re-designed. First prototype of the CL-601 flew on 10 April 1982. In 1987 the Challenger 3A appeared with General Electric CF34-3A engines of increased power, and an updated navigation and avionics package.

The Challenger could fulfil the commuter role, 32 passengers being carried at 81.3 cm (32 in) seat pitch, but 18 being be carried in a normal first-class layout. In the 30-seat configuration a range of 3,285 km (2,041 miles) was available.

In 1989 the CL-601-3R became available being an extended range model with higher weights. Further development led to the Challenger 604, with further higher weights, General Electric CF34-3B turbofans of 8,729 lbst, increased fuel, and new avionics. Other changes were incorporated following the Company’s experience with the Canadair Regional Jet. More than 250 examples of the Challenger series have been built.

First of the type seen in this region was a model CL-600 (N600CL) which made a sales tour in 1981. Challengers operated and registered in this region have included: Model 600S VH-MXX (c/n 1061 – ex N600JW) for Multiplex Constructions, later Coca Cola, which became VH-MCG in December 1991 and was exported as N770JC in December 1997 and VH-NKS (c/n 1073 – ex N888KS), which operated with Australian Capital Equity, and Durie Pty Ltd whilst in Australia, before being exported in September 1994 as N600BP.

Model 601 VH-MZL (c/n 3054) was registered to Westfield Ltd in August 1986 and exported in October 1990 as N54PR. VH-ASM (c/n 5033), a Model 601-3A, was operated by Associated Airlines from December 1988 to March 1989 and then exported as N32CG. Model 601-3A VH-BRG (c/n5064) was operated by Grocon Pty Ltd from December 1990 to July 1998 when it was exported as N564TS. Model 604 VH-LAM (c/n 5353) was operated by the BHP Billiton Group from February 2002 to April 2003 before being exported as N758CC. Model 604 VH-MXK (c/n 5456) was operated by M X Aviation from November 2004 and became VH-ZZH with Avwest Pty Ltd in December 2004.

A few others have Australasian connections. A Model 600S (c/n 1057) was to become VH-OZZ with Bond Corporation but was not imported. Model 601-3A N601RP (c/n 3045) was operated by Palmer Tube Mills from November 1988 to June 1989; and Model 604 N604TS (c/n 5308) was operated with Jet Charter Services of Melbourne, VIC from October 1999 to March 2000.

Challenger 601-1As have included VH-MXK (c/n 3003) which was operated by MWP Racing Pty Ltd of Mt Gravatt, QLD; and VH-NSB (c/n 5074) which was operated by GSA Industries of Melbourne.

In 2015 Cobham Aviation Services based in Adelaide, SA received a 12 year search-and-rescue contract from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and obtained four modified Challenger 604 aircraft to help fulfill the contract, these aircraft joining its fleet of de Havilland DHC-8 aircraft involved in Coastwatch work.