Remanufacturing specialist Nextant Aerospace is upgrading its 15th 604XT aircraft with a Pro Line Fusion flight deck. The company earned its STC for the upgrade in November 2018, and has 30 scheduled for completion by the end of 2019.
The Pro Line Fusion cockpit includes a standard three-display configuration, high-resolution 14.1in widescreen touch displays with synthetic vision technology. The solution also includes ADS-B Out, WAAS/LVP and the option to include Safe Flight AutoPower and FANS-1A.
The cockpit upgrade is phase one of the company’s 604XT remanufacturing solution. Phase two involves implementing modernised cabin design configurations and refurbishments, while phase three involves aerodynamic enhancements to boost range by 500 nautical miles and the service ceiling to FL410.
Nextant Aerospace says it has seen a ramp up in completions, which is timely given the recent Field Support Discontinuance Bulletin noting the specific end of support roadmap for Pro Line 4 CRTs. “As I have talked with numerous owners and operators over the past two years, the one thing that is consistent in every conversation is they understand Pro Line Fusion is the only way to operate their Challenger 604 into the future,” said Steve Bruce, 604XT programme director at Nextant Aerospace. “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.”
