Bombardier Aerospace unveils mid-size Challenger 350 business jet

Bombardier Aerospace has unveiled the mid-size Challenger 350 aircraft, a new addition to its leading Challenger family of business jetliners.

The Challenger 350 airliner was launched at a special event at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland.

US-based private jet operator NetJets has been announced as the worldwide launch partner for the new mid-size business jetliner.

Deliveries of the Challenger 350 are expected to start in 2014.

The Challenger 350 jet will offer increased performance and aerodynamic efficiency with its new canted winglets; it will accommodate eight passengers, and can continuously fly 5,926km and directly climb to 43,000ft.

The aircraft will be powered by new twin Honeywell HTF7350 engines, each producing 7,323lb of thrust and reducing emissions.

Based on the HTF7000 engine, HTF7350 delivers more than 7% thrust increase and features Honeywell’s advanced systems designed to lower fuel consumption and reduce NOx, CO₂ and unburned hydrocarbon emissions.

In addition, the US-based Honeywell will provide its 36-150 APU, which is currently available on the Challenger 300 jetliner, as well as Inertial Navigation System and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) database for improved navigation and situational awareness.

Bombardier Business Aircraft president Steve Ridolfi said: "Passengers will experience new comfort levels as they relax in the completely new cabin, enjoy a purpose-built and intuitive cabin management system and increase their efficiency with superior performance, and all at best-in-class operating costs."

NetJets chairman and chief executive officer Jordan B Hansell added: "This super midsize aircraft will deliver an experience that meets both our customers’ travel and comfort requirements."

The Challenger 350 jet features Lufthansa Technik’s next-generation HD cabin management system, cockpit with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced, avionics such as synthetic vision, dual inertial reference systems, a completely paperless cockpit and multiscan weather radar, providing pilots with increased situational awareness and reduced pilot workload.

Bombardier noted that the Challenger 350 aircraft customers would be able to receive a full range of 24/7 support worldwide.

In preparation for a smooth entry-into-service of the Challenger 350 jet, Bombardier Aerospace is currently reconfiguring a flight training device and Level D full-flight simulator at its aircraft training centre in Dallas, Texas.

Recently, NetJets introduced the NetJets Signature Series of aircraft that are customised from design through production to include advanced in-flight entertainment systems and custom cabin designs, as well as advanced cockpit and cabin technologies to ensure maximum safety, reliability and operating efficiency.

The NetJets Signature Series aircraft among others include the Bombardier Global jet family and Challenger 605 Series jets.

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Image: Bombardier’s Challenger 350 aircraft is powered by the new twin Honeywell HTF7350 engines and can continuously fly distances of 5,926km. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.