Jet Aviation has equipped
the oldest Challenger 604 with the up-to-date Future Aircraft Navigation System
(FANS). The installation was performed at its facility in St. Louis.
"The Challenger 604 that we
installed the FANS in was the first one ever delivered to a customer back in
1995 and is the oldest one still flying,” said
Blake Hogge,
senior manager, Avionics Sales, at Jet Aviation in St. Louis.
“Bombardier
produced 363 Challenger 604s to replace the 601 model, and now the oldest one
still in the air has the most modern navigation system available to assist the
owner with navigation worldwide. We worked with Rockwell Collins to develop the STC (supplemental type certificate) for their FANS solution, and we completed
the industry’s first FANS installations in Challenger 604s more than a year ago.
We’ve completed more than 10 FANS installations in 604s so far.”
Jet Aviation’s service
center in St. Louis completed the installation in the historic Challenger 604 in
less than three weeks, delivering it to the owner two days ahead of schedule.
“It took some real dedication by our team, but we were convinced we could
deliver exactly the product and the service the customer needed in the time he
could give us,” Hogge said.
|
Jet Aviation St. Louis'
Avionics Technician Rusty Gardner onboard the Challenger 604. |
Customer
Scott Wells,
quality assurance manager for Presidential Aviation, said he chose Jet Aviation
at St. Louis because of its obvious expertise in FANS installations. “St. Louis
had the most knowledge and experience based on feedback we got from everyone
else,” he said. “And St. Louis had the answers right away when we talked to
them. We could immediately see the experience and the expertise. The whole
process was really smooth. The FANS system is working great. We haven’t had any
issues.”
Rockwell Collins said its
FANS solution includes the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) and
Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC), which reduces pilot workload
and enhances the clarity and accuracy of pilot communications with Air
Navigation Service Providers in oceanic and remote airspace worldwide. |