By Liz Moscrop
BART recently caught a ride on Bombardier’s demonstrator Challenger 605. The latest addition to the 600 family. The aircraft has been in service since January 2007.
Bombardier’s Challenger 605 is proving to be a hit in Europe. Key additions to the older 604 include the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite, as well as a 14 percent increase in window size, which gives a 30 percent increase in cabin light over its predecessor.
Zurich based charter company Comlux Aviation was the European launch customer for the 605. TAG, ExecuJet, and VistaJet also operate the aircraft. Britain’s Ocean Sky now has two 605s on its books and recently debuted its latest at London’s Biggin Hill airport.
Chief executive Kurosh Tehranchian says that the 605 is proving a popular and reliable workhorse with his clients and that the cabin enhancements have been a hit: “As somebody who owns aircraft and uses them for charter, I know how important it is to get the interior right. It is critical.”
Bahrain’s Rizon Jet also recently added a Challenger 605 to its growing fleet.
Chief executive Will Curtis, says: 'The Challenger 605 jet won us over with its exceptional reliability and bright spacious cabin.”
The 605’s cabin is extremely comfortable. At 1.85m (6ft) it is plenty high enough for all but the tallest and there is a great deal of room on board, as it is 2.49m (8ft 2in) wide and 8.66m (28ft 4in) long. It weighs less, too. The combination of newer materials and technologies with a new lighter flight deck has reduced the weight of the 605 by 200 pounds (91 kg) from the 604, which translates to more payload flexibility, ie the 605 provides the same range as the 604, only with an extra passenger on board. A new galley design offers increased storage capacity and functionality as well as optimized, ergonomically enhanced pull out working areas. This means that the aircraft remains comfortable even on longer journeys.
A digital, Ethernet-based cabin electronic system means that passengers can adjust lighting easily. The system, which includes touch-screen controls, enables audio/video on demand at the armrests of the seats, as well as via remote control. The system also supports high-speed connectivity for web browsing and e-mail access. Passengers wishing to call the office can also take advantage of the on board satellite phone.
The 605 can carry up to three crew and 12 passengers. At $28.1m with a maximum range 4,045nm (7,491km) the large jet compares favorably with Dassault’s Falcon 2000EX and DX models as well as the Gulfstream G350, which have ranges of 3,800nm (7,037km), 3,250nm (6,019km) and 3,800nm (7,042km) respectively.
Curtis adds: “We are very impressed with the wide range of Bombardier products and see great potential for these aircraft in our operation.”

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