Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the widebody Challenger 605 business jet has now been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada (TC) to fly into London City Airport*, directly linking business and government leaders to the heart of London’s financial district.
This approval for steep approach and landing capability at London City Airport (LYC) applies to all Challenger 604 and Challenger 605 aircraft registered in the European Union member states and Canada. An optional service bulletin will be available for existing aircraft owners in the third quarter of Bombardier FY07/08, and will give details regarding crew certifications and costs.
“This is fantastic news for Challenger aircraft operators and an important advantage for busy executives who fly on Challenger 604 and Challenger 605 jets,” said Pierre Gabriel Côté, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “London is one the world’s most important financial centres and London City Airport is, by far, the quickest way to access the city.”
Open since September 2002, the London City Airport Jet Centre is recognized by business jet users for providing a premium jet service, with capacity for up to 14,000 aircraft movements per year. In order to qualify to operate at London City Airport, an aircraft must demonstrate its ability to be flown safely at a 5.5-degree or greater approach angle, take off and land on the airport’s 4,327-foot (1,319-meter) runway, and meet the local noise requirements.
The development phase for the capability occurred in the United States where Bombardier test pilots accumulated approximately 50 hours of flight-testing and 200 steep approach landings. Operational evaluation into London City Airport was successfully completed on February 23, 2007. The Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft (serial number 5701) proved its exceptional capabilities during more than five hours of flight-testing and eight steep-approach landings into the airport, with actual landings performed by Bombardier, EASA and TC pilots. EASA certification was granted on May 30 and TC certification was granted on May 10.
Paul Mulcahy, EASA test pilot, flew the Challenger 605 jet for two of these landings and was thoroughly impressed by its performance: “The aircraft is very speed stable and handled extremely well throughout, easily accommodating the airfield’s challenging approach.”
In service since January 2007 with Bombardier’s demonstration fleet, the Challenger 605 jet features the widest stand-up cabin of any large category business jet available today. It is equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and features an all new cabin electronic system. The aircraft can whisk five-passengers from Paris-New-York and London-Delhi non-stop*, in superior comfort.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2007, were $14.8 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD).
News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
Note to Editors
*Under certain operating conditions.
Bombardier, Challenger 604 and Challenger 605 are trademark(s) of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
For information
Danielle Boudreau
Bombardier Business Aircraft
514-855-8149
danielle.boudreau@aero.bombardier.com