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Aircraft and component manufacturer Nextant Aerospace is currently in the process of installing seven 604XT Pro Line Fusion cockpit upgrades and once these are complete, the number of Challenger 604s that have received the Nextant upgrade will reach 21. The company projects it will achieve at least 30 such installations by the end of 2019, representing nearly 10 per cent of the Challenger 604 fleet and significantly exceeding expectations.
Nextant Aerospace, manufacturer of the 400XTi, G90XT and 604XT, received it supplemental type certificate (STC) for the 604 Pro Line Fusion upgrade in November 2018. The package replaces the Challenger 604's factory-installed CRT displays with three widescreen, high-resolution touchscreens that have synthetic vision technology. It includes ADS-B Out, WAAS/LVP, and the option to add Safe Flight AutoPower and FANS-1A.
“There are three big reasons we've seen a surge of 604 operators making the switch to Pro Line Fusion,” says 604XT programme director Steve Bruce. “First, it brings the flight deck into the 21st century, providing pilots with intuitive touchscreen technology and exceptional situational awareness. Second, it brings the aircraft into ADS-B compliance in time for the 1 January, 2020 deadline. And finally, it replaces the standard CRT displays that Collins Aerospace is phasing out.”
Back in June, Collins Aerospace announced that it would run out of new replacement CRT displays for the Challenger 604's factory Pro Line 4 flight deck at the end of 2021. Repairs after that date will be made with used parts, if available. The only option for operators to ensure serviceability into the future is to upgrade to the Pro Line Fusion system.
The Pro Line Fusion is phase one of the 604XT Nextant Aerospace remanufactured aircraft. Additional phases include modernised interior cabin design configurations and refurbishments (phase two) 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 three).
