Bombardier Challenger 604 – All You Need To Know

Overview & History

The Bombardier introduced its Bombardier Challenger 604 in 1995 as a major upgrade on the Challenger 601 design, incorporating more powerful engines, larger fuel supply, completely new undercarriage, structural improvements to wings and tail, and a new electronic flight instrumentation system. The Challenger 604 is a longer-range derivative of the 601-3R with a larger fuel capacity and upgraded CF34-3B engines. The Bombardier Challenger 604 was also one of the first business jets designed with a super-critical wing.

As of January 2014, the Bombardier Challenger 604 market is comprised of 100% pre-owned. The percentage for sale is 8.8% with 78% under an exclusive broker agreement and the average days on the market are 392 days.

Bombardier Challenger 604 Performance

The aircraft has two General Electric CF34-3B turbofan engines each providing 38.84kN (8,729lbs) thrust at take-off. The engine nacelles from Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast, are mounted on pylons on the rear of the fuselage. The engines are fitted with cascade fan-air thrust reversers. The fuel tanks can be augmented by auxiliary tanks bringing the maximum fuel load to 9,072kg. The aircraft has pressure and gravity refueling points.

The aircraft has two 30kVA generators supplying the three-phase 115/200V Ac primary power. The DC supply comes from four transformer rectifiers and a primary and secondary battery. A Honeywell GTCP-100E gas turbine auxiliary power unit provides the power for engine starting and ground air conditioning.

The Bombardier Challenger 604 uses 289 gallons per hour (GPH). The range of the Challenger 604 is 4,024 nm operating under NBAA IFR 4 passengers with available fuel. It has a max cruise speed of 432knots. Takeoff and landing distance is 5,900ft and 2,358ft respectively.

Bombardier Challenger 604 Interior

Like other Bombardier Aerospace products, it has one the luxurious interior. The cabin measures 28.4 feet long by 8.2 feet wide by 6.1 feet tall giving it a total cabin volume of 1035 cubic feet. The dimensions make it comfortable for 10 passengers, with the maximum configuration seating 16.

The baggage compartment can hold up to 16 bags, assuming your average piece of luggage is less than 5 cubic feet. The flight deck, cabin, and baggage compartment are pressurized and air-conditioned.

An active noise vibration control system developed by Ultra Electronics can be installed. Higher-density seating can be installed for up to 19 passengers. The cabin interior is installed to meet the customer’s requirements. Bombardier is offering an optional improved extended interior cabin configuration that adds two windows to the seating area and extends its length by 0.5m.

The windscreen and side windows of the flight deck are fitted with electrical anti-icing. A Hamilton Sundstrand bleeds air system provides anti-icing to the wing leading edges, the engine air intake cowls, and the guide vanes. Fire detectors and a dual-action fire extinguishing system are installed in the engine nacelles. Fire detectors and extinguishers are also installed in the auxiliary power unit.

The TWR-854 color digital weather radar provides turbulence protection. The aircraft’s navigation systems include a dual Northrop Grumman (Litton) LTN-101 laser inertial reference system, dual VHF navigation, a dual-distance measuring system, and a dual automatic direction finder.

Bombardier is offering an avionics upgrade, the Rockwell Collins PrecisionPlus, for the 604. PrecisionPlus enhances the Pro Line 4 and features automation of Vspeed calculation and thrust setting as primary information and a three-dimensional display of the aircraft’s flight plan. This is coupled with a new enhanced auto-throttle system. This system is now installed on all production aircraft and can be retrofitted.

Bombardier Challenger 604 Charter Cost

The Bombardier Challenger 604 is one of the most luxurious jets available for charter flights from and to New York, with a wide range of availability in several major aviation markets. The cost to charter a Challenger 604 starts at around $7,000 an hour. Hourly charter rates do not include all taxes, fuel, and other fees. Charter costs will vary based on year of make/model, schedule, routing, passenger & baggage totals, and other factors.

Purchase Cost

The acquisition cost for the Bombardier Challenger 604 typically ranges from $22 million. The price of a jet depends on the production year; it can also go above the given range if the product is new. It will cost buyers around $1.5million a year which includes fuel, crew members, and maintenance, etc. The price of a pre-owned jet can be within $5million. You can find many sellers currently on different websites.

Cockpit

The flight deck is equipped with dual controls for the pilot and co-pilot. The avionics suite is based on a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 integrated system with a six-tube (184mm×184mm) EFIS, a dual-channel autopilot and flight director, a dual flight management system, and a digital automatic flight control system. The pilots’ communications suite includes dual VHF and HF radios, dual air traffic control transponders, and a cockpit voice recorder. The aircraft is certified for Cat II operations.

Technical Specifications