Bombardier & Duncan Aviation To Provide 4G Wi-Fi In Challenger 300/600 Business Jets
Current and future owners and operators of Bombardier Challenger 300 and 600 series business jets—including the new Challenger 350 and 650 aircraft—can look forward to on-board Gogo AVACE L5 4G Wi-Fi connectivity on those aircraft. This is thanks to a recent collaboration between Montreal-based Bombardier and Lincoln, Nebraska,-based Duncan Aviation; the companies recently received STC (Supplemental Type Certificates) for the Gogo system on the new 350/650 aircraft and as a retrofit option on in-service Challenger 300 and 600 series aircraft.
Easy, Reliable Access
Bombardier and Duncan Aviation will perform retrofit installations at Bombardier’s five FAA Diamond award winning centers in North America and at Duncan’s three MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facilities, as well as at Duncan’s satellite locations. Supporting the government, business operators, and other service providers, Duncan’s services include airframe inspections, engine maintenance, major cabin and cockpit retrofits, paint and interior services, and used aircraft sales and acquisitions.
On new Challenger aircraft, the Gogo AVANCE L5 system will work in association with Bombardier’s HD CMS (cabin management system), billed as providing an “unparalleled audio experience with crystal-clear sound through integrated sidewall speakers.” As a platform, Gogo AVANCE includes a wide range of cabin features that Bombardier states let passengers “easily and reliably access and use all available data, voice, maps, entertainment, and CMS services.”
Touted as being three times faster than a 3G network and designed specifically for business aircraft, the Gogo Biz 4G network entails 250-plus towers that provide connectivity across the continental United States and significant chunks of Canada and Alaska.
Cabin Connectivity
Bombardier and Duncan Aviation note that they’ve already completed Gogo AVANCE L5 in-cabin installations on Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 aircraft. Retrofits will be available for in-service Challenger 350, 604, and 650 aircraft. In a statement, Brad Nolen, Bombardier Business Aircraft vice president, marketing, noted Bombardier’s pride in leading “the way in cabin connectivity” and offering the 4G Wi-Fi system on new and in-service aircraft so that “passengers can enjoy the smooth ride our aircraft are known for, while staying connected.”
Introduced in 2014 and recently surpassing 200 deliveries, the super-midsize Challenger 350 seats up to 10 passengers and is hailed for its short-field performance and ability to climb quickly to a 43,000-foot (13,106-meter) initial cruising altitude. The 350 provides a maximum 32,000-nautical mile (5,926-kilometer) range and a top Mach 0.83 speed powering on twin Honeywell HTF7350 turbofans.
The large cabin Challenger 650, meanwhile, recently reached its 50th delivery. Sporting a 7.9-foot (2.4-meter)-wide cabin and an advanced wing design that aims to minimize turbulence impact to create a smoother ride, the aircraft seats up to 12 passengers and integrates Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 advanced avionics. The Challenger 650 supports a max 4,000-nm (7,408-kilometer) range, top cruise speed of Mach 0.85, and a 41,000-foot (12,497-meter) maximum operating altitude.
If you’re looking for Bombardier aircraft, Controller.com has numerous pre-owned Challenger, Learjet, and Global aircraft available for sale.
Source: Bombardier
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