Summary
- Bombardier’s Challenger 600 is a versatile jet with a comfortable cabin and advanced technology.
- Learjet’s LearStar 600 design was integrated into the Challenger series by Bombardier in 1986.
- The modern Challenger 650 model costs around $32 million to purchase and has variable operational costs depending on age and usage.
The Challenger 600 is one of the most notorious jets ever made. You must have seen one if you have been to popular business jet airports like Paris-Le Bourget or Teterboro near New York. Read on to learn more about the aircraft and all the cool things you may have yet to know about the Canadian jet, including its unique history within Bombardier’s extensive business aviation lineup.
Bombardier used to manufacture more than just jets: the Dash 8 Q400 and the popular CRJ (Canadair Regional Jet) family of aircraft were all manufactured by the Canadian OEM. Read more about that plane
here
.
Some context about the CL60
The Challenger 600 (ICAO code CL60) has been available for purchase since 1980, and for over four decades, it has been a staple of business aviation. One of the most notorious CL60 owners is Lewis Hamilton, the famous Formula 1 driver who has been crowned world champion multiple times in his driving career. But the renowned jet wasn’t initially destined to be made by Bombardier. It was going to be called the LearStar 600.
Photo: US Army
Some readers may have guessed it, but the airframes were to be produced by another Canadian private aviation OEM, Learjet. Founded in 1962 by Bill Lear, they have produced some of the most famous aircraft in business aviation. The most notorious of which is the Learjet 45, popularised by Microsoft Flight Simulator X. It is very likely that some of you may have “piloted” this jet from your desktop.
A Brief Guide To The Different Variants Of The Learjet Family
Production of the popular private jet series began six decades ago.
But by the time the LearStar 600 was to be manufactured, Learjet was bought by Bombardier. The new entity took on the design imagined by Bill Lear and brought it into production under the Challenger umbrella starting in 1986. Several variants have been produced, from the legacy Challenger 650 to the ultra-modern Challenger 650 introduced in 2015 with state-of-the-art fly-by-wire technology and a glass cockpit. Some military versions, including the CC-144, CE-144, and CX-144, serve various roles within the Canadian Air Force. The USAF also has a few C-143A based on the C650 used for search and rescue purposes.
It was also developed into the infamous CRJ100/200 series of aircraft, and its launch customer was the German flag carrier Lufthansa with their CityLine subsidiary.
Technical specifications of the jet.
Now that we have some context let’s look at what it is like to operate the type. According to private jet specialistMagellan Jets, the aircraft can carry a maximum of 9 passengers with a range of 2800NM. The Challenger 600’s cabin is comfortable to travel in, with a width of 8 feet, a length of 28.3 feet, and a height of 6.1 feet. This is well above the worldwide average height for both men and women, meaning passengers can stand up and stretch their legs without discomfort. For long-haul journeys, it makes travel a lot easier.
Photo : Bombardier
Furthermore, the interior volume is 1,035 cubic feet. There is enough space for everyone traveling, even when the jet is at capacity. With 115 cubic feet of pressurized internal baggage storage, passengers needn’t worry about how many items they take onboard and, best of all, have access to them in the air. Typical CL60 configurations feature a forward galley, two seating sections, and a four-chair club section.
Photo : GuardianJet
Pilots will also have a comfortable flight with an intuitive flight deck. The avionics feature the Sperry SPZ-600 analog flight guidance system and SPZ-650 dual-channel autopilot, Primus 400 weather radar, GNS-500 VLF/Omega navigation system, Collins Pro Line 1 radios, etc. This makes for a convenient and less stressful piloting. With its range, the jet can fly across the Atlantic when bases in Britain or Ireland. Therefore, a comfortable flight upfront is essential for safety, as an unstressed crew is less prone to making piloting errors.
Challenger 600 series cost.
Today, the only model available to order directly from Bombardier is the Challenger 650. It is a modernized CL60. The precise price list is private. However,compareprivateplanes.comsuggests prospective owners may have to fork up 32 million dollars. This price excludes operating costs, which, according toGuardianjet,and based on a typical year with 300 hours of flight, corresponds to :
- Purchase Price (second-hand first generation Challenger 600): $12,475,000
- Fixed Costs: $823,313
- Variable Costs: $1,315,500
- Total Cost (Annual): $3,136,813
However, these costs are indicative; they will differ on the age of the aircraft, its utilization, the negotiated acquisition costs, and many other factors.
Although second-hand jets may seem relatively more affordable, much like cars, more maintenance will be needed as the airframe ages, thus bumping up the overall operating costs.
What Do Maintenance Procedures Look Like For Private Jets?
Maintenance checks must be performed at regular intervals.
Bottom line
The would-have-been Learjet aircraft is top-rated; its wide cabin and decent range make it a versatile midsize jet. From military aviation to commercial aviation, this family of jets has been able to operate in virtually all settings.
Today, it is flown by jet setters such as Louis Hamilton and is still produced as the newer Challenger 650 version. So, CL60 fans should rest assured that the chunky Bombardier will likely grace the skies worldwide for decades.
What do you think of the CL60? Do you have other fun facts to share? Let us know in the comments!
