Ohio-headquartered Nextant Aerospace, the remanufacturer and developer of the 400XTi, G90XT and 604XT, has inducted the 15th aircraft into its 604XT Pro Line Fusion cockpit upgrade, following supplemental type certification (STC) of the advanced technology flight deck in late November 2018. 30 Pro Line Fusion upgrades are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019, marking the first phase of the multiphase 604XT remanufacturing programme.

The 604XT Pro Line Fusion cockpit upgrade features a standard package three display configuration, high resolution 14.1” widescreen touch displays with synthetic vision technology. In addition, the solution includes ADS-B Out, WAAS/LVP and the option to include Safe Flight AutoPower and FANS-1A.

Nextant believes the upgrade provides exceptional economical value when comparing stand-alone costs and longevity to interim Pro Line 4 ADS-B Out and FANS alternatives. Its ramp up in completions is also timely given the recent Field Support Discontinuance Bulletin detailing the end of support for the Pro Line 4 CRTs. Feedback from pilots who have experienced the 604XT flight deck upgrade has been extremely positive.

Nextant Aerospace 604XT programme director Steve Bruce comments: “As I have talked with numerous owners and operators over the past two years, the one thing consistent in every conversation is that they understand Pro Line Fusion is the only way to operate their Challenger 604 into the future. At the centre of that conversation is the imminent Pro Line 4 CRT obsolescence. Challenger 604 owners clearly see their opportunity to trade in their obsolete avionics for a reasonably priced 21st century flight deck that ensures efficient flight operations for many years to come.”

The Pro Line Fusion upgrade marks Phase I of the 604XT remanufactured aircraft. Additional phases include modernised interior cabin design configurations and refurbishments (Phase II) and aerodynamic enhancements for improved performance that are designed to deliver a 500 nautical mile range improvement with a service ceiling expansion to FL410 (Phase III).