Bombardier Challenger 600
Challenger 600
Bombardier · 1980 – 1983
2,909 NM
Range
458 kts
Cruise
12
Passengers
Overview / 01
Key Facts
Details / 02
Bombardier Challenger 600
1980 – 1983
Details / 03
Key Takeaways
- The Bombardier Challenger 600 series has over 1,000 jets built and 7.5 million total flight hours.
- It features a wide cabin, supercritical wing, four backup power systems, and seating for 11-16 passengers.
- The Challenger 600 was the first of the Challenger series, originally developed as the Learstar 600.
- Subsequent variants have received updates in systems, avionics, and increased weight capacities.
- The Challenger 600 series has been in production since 1980 and is a popular choice in the private aviation market.
History / 04
Introduction to the Bombardier Challenger 600
The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a top choice in business jets. It has been a key player in luxury travel and corporate aircraft for over 40 years.
It was launched on October 29, 1976, and was built in Canada.
This aircraft was made to meet new standards and was tested a lot. It spent over 1,800 hours in wind tunnels, focusing on its supercritical wing.
The first Challenger 600 prototype was shown on May 25, 1978. It flew for the first time on November 8, 1978.
This was a big step for Canadair, showing they were serious players in the aviation world.
In Service
42
Total Built
83
Production
1980 – 1983
Details / 05
Key Specifications
The Bombardier Challenger 600 is a heavy business jet known for its impressive specs and long-range travel. It measures 63 feet long and has a wingspan of 53.3 feet.
This makes it a top pick for those who love private flying.
This jet can fly up to 2,909 nautical miles on one tank of fuel. It has a max takeoff weight of 41,250 pounds.
Its powerful engines make it fast and versatile.
The Challenger 600 has a low-mounted wing and a T-tail. It also has a tricycle landing gear with twin wheels.
This design ensures a smooth ride for passengers. It can carry up to 19 people, but usually seats 10 to 12.
Performance / 06
Engine and Performance
Range
2,909NM
Cruise Speed
458kts
Ceiling
41,000ft
Fuel Burn
262GPH
Range by Configuration
↓ 23 NM per additional passenger
Takeoff Distance
5,700 ft
Landing Distance
3,050 ft
The Bombardier Challenger 600 has two Lycoming ALF 502L turbofan engines. Each engine produces 7,500 pounds of thrust.
This business jet is known for its jet engine performance and business jet capabilities.
It can fly at speeds of 527 mph (848 km/h) and 461 mph (743 km/h over long distances. The aircraft can climb at a rate of 4,450 ft/min.
It reaches a service ceiling of 41,000 ft (12,497 m).
The takeoff distance is 5,700 ft (1,737 m) at sea level. It needs 3,050 ft (930 m) for landing.
Comfort / 07
Interior Features
The Bombardier Challenger 600 has a large and stylish private jet cabin. It's 8 feet 2 inches wide, 6 feet 1 inch tall, and 28 feet 3 inches long.
This makes its cabin volume 1,403 cubic feet, giving passengers plenty of room to move.
The cabin is known for its quiet and smooth ride. It's set up with a four-chair club section and a conference area or divans.
This allows passengers to work or relax during the flight.
The Challenger 600 also has a forward galley and an aft lavatory. These add to the convenience for passengers.
It can hold up to 12 suitcases in its 115 cubic feet of baggage space.
With its private jet cabin and useful features, the Bombardier Challenger 600 is a top choice. It offers a luxury aircraft interior experience for those who travel in style.
Cabin Length
28.35ft
Cabin Width
8.17ft
Cabin Height
6.07ft
Cabin Environment
Standard
Noise compliance (dB) — lower is quieter
Details / 08
Safety and Certification
The Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft went through a strict certification process.
This ensured top aircraft safety and aviation certification standards. It got its type certification from Transport Canada on August 10, 1980.
Then, the FAA certified it on November 7, 1980.
The certification involved a detailed flight test program. Sadly, a tragic incident occurred on April 3, 1980.
A failure in the recovery chute mechanism caused a crash, killing 2 out of 3 people. This event highlighted the critical need for safety in aviation.
Bombardier made significant improvements in safety procedures and design after this incident. Their dedication to aircraft safety and aviation certification is clear.
CAE, a top provider of civil aviation training, offers extensive training programs.
CAE's programs focus on safety, with 25% of them dedicated to it. They cover topics like Avionics Essentials and Practical Aircraft Wiring.
These programs are updated regularly to meet industry standards and regulations.
The Challenger 600's strict certification and Bombardier's focus on safety have made it a reliable choice in private aviation.
Market / 09
Operating Costs
New List Price
$9,000,000
Avg. Pre-Owned
$788,000
Annual Cost
$1,260,486
Charter / hr
$4,800
New vs Pre-Owned
Save $8,212,000 (91%) buying pre-owned
Hourly Cost Comparison
↑ Charter revenue exceeds ownership cost by $1,251 / hr
The Bombardier Challenger 600 is known for being cost-effective. It uses about 316 gallons of fuel per hour.
This makes it more efficient than bigger private jets. But, costs can change based on things like maintenance, crew pay, and hangar fees.
Let's look at the costs of other popular jets:
- The Bombardier Global 6000 and Global 6500 cost between $1.1 million and $2.2 million a year. This depends on how much they fly.
- For these models, fixed costs like crew pay, training, and insurance are about $700,000 yearly.
- Variable costs can be $1.1 million for 200 hours or $2.2 million for 400 hours.
- The Bombardier Challenger 850 costs $3,544.71 an hour to run.
- The HondaJet is more affordable, with an hourly cost of $1,134.90.
- The Gulfstream G650 costs $4,843.16 an hour, and the Airbus ACJ320 is the priciest at $7,964.69.
- The Cirrus Vision SF50 has the lowest cost at $661.53 an hour.
It's a balance of performance and cost, fitting well in the business aviation expenses category.
Value History
Pre-owned market value over time
Maintenance Schedule
Details / 10
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The Bombardier Challenger 600 has made a big mark in business aviation. It set new standards for comfort and range that many still value today.
Even though newer models have come out, the Challenger 600 is still a great choice for those wanting a big, capable private jet.
The Challenger 600's legacy is clear in the success of the Challenger series and its impact on private aviation. If you're thinking about business jet investment or looking into private aviation in the future, the Challenger 600 is worth considering.
It offers a mix of performance, luxury, and value that appeals to many.
The Challenger 600 shows the innovation and skill that Bombardier has brought to private aviation. Whether you're already a private jet owner or just starting to look into it, the Challenger 600 is definitely worth looking at.
Range / 11
Range Map
Performance
Comfort
Weights
Dimensions
Power
Private Aviation Advisory
Take control of how you fly
Ownership, charter and acquisition options tailored to your real usage.