Nextant Aerospace has embarked
on the second phase of its Challenger 604XT remanufacturing programme, which
will include both a performance enhancement to the existing airframe and an
entirely new cabin design.
The announcement, which was made at the show this
morning, comes five months after Nextant launched the project – a revamped
version of the Bombardier Challenger 604 – which introduces a Rockwell Collins
ProLine Fusion flightdeck in place of the legacy model’s ProLine 4 suite.
Flight testing of the Fusion on board a Challenger
604 began in September, and the test aircraft is on display at the static.
Speaking at the show this morning Nextant’s
executive vice-president Jay Heublein described the response to the 604XT as
“exceptional”. The company has already secured a launch customer for the
Fusion-equipped aircraft and plans to deliver the first unit shortly after
certification in mid-2018.
“Now, with a large portion of the certification
effort related to the cockpit behind us, we will embark on phase two of our
overall solution for this airframe,” says Heublein.
Improvements include a “radically new cabin” –
renderings for which were shown for the first time this morning. It features a
redesigned entryway to the aircraft, including a solid door closure between the
air stair and the galley, designed to help reduce exterior wind noise.
The front half of the cabin is designed as an
“all-new, ultra-modern media room hosting the latest in connectivity
technology”, says Heublein. The rear is separated from the forward half and
features VIP seating with a full-width conference/dining table. “The interior
will also benefit from an all new composite shell and acoustic/thermal insulation
kit to further enhance the overall cabin experience,” he says.
Phase two also includes an increase in range of up
to 500nm (925km), which is described by fellow Nextant executive vice-president
Mark O’Donnell as “a true game-changer for consumers”.
“We will now be able to link New York with London on
a non-stop basis, or Boston with western Europe in both directions. Now
operators that need reliable trans-Atlantic range will have a new option at a
far superior price point relative to competitive aircraft,” he says.
The range improvement will be made via a
“significant drag reduction and wing extension programme,” O’Donnell continues.
“Our goal is to combine this with a service-ceiling increase to 45,000ft which
in addition to increasing the fuel efficiency will free operators from the
traffic and weather they have been tied to in the past at lower altitudes.”
Nextant projects an 18 to 24-month certification
timeframe for the range and interior enhancements, but expects some customers
to opt for the cockpit upgrade initially and then add the other features at a
later date.
(Evangle Luo of TTFLY shared with you)
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