Bombardier recently gained several key regulatory approvals for its Smart Link Plus connected aircraft system.
Essential Transport Canada (TC), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approvals have been achieved for almost the entire fleet of Challenger and Global aircraft. With these approvals, operators of all in-service Challenger 300, Challenger 350, Challenger 3500, Challenger 605 and Challenger 650 aircraft, as well as Global 5000, Global 6000, Global Express and Global XRS aircraft, will be able to install the Smart Link Plus aircraft health management system on their business jets.
Smart Link Plus collects aircraft data, enabling flight and maintenance crews to quickly prioritise and proactively troubleshoot essential inflight alerts. Aircraft operators can effectively track, troubleshoot and dispatch a technician based on information received from the system.
“The Smart Link Plus system is fundamentally changing the way Bombardier supports its customers,” said Paul Sislian, executive vice president, aftermarket services and strategy, Bombardier. “With Smart Link Plus, customers can make concrete maintenance decisions in real time – significantly enhancing the efficiency of their operations.”
The Smart Link Plus connected aircraft system was first introduced on the Bombardier flagship Global 7500. Now, a strong majority of current Global 7500 customers have enrolled in the service, and Bombardier has been gradually expanding the programme to offer retrofit options to its in-service fleet of Challenger and Global aircraft. The system will also be installed on all new Global 8000 aircraft as a standard feature.
Ground crews can also use the programme’s remote parameter display to independently monitor an aircraft in flight to assist in finding the root cause of potential issues. While in flight, the Smart Link Plus service automatically sends ground crews take-off, landing and inflight fault notifications, together with contextual data, allowing the flight crew to focus on other tasks. Full flight data is automatically transmitted and accessible once the aircraft has landed. Access to full aircraft systems data provides additional information required to troubleshoot more complex faults.
Aircraft data is also displayed in a Bombardier application (myMaintenance App) and is available anytime, anywhere on any personal electronic device. Additionally, Bombardier’s 24/7 Customer Response Centre (CRC) and dedicated team of experts and specialists can support troubleshooting efforts using the myMaintenance App and mobilise additional support as required.
Bombardier is working to finalise all regulatory approvals for operators of Challenger 604 and Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft. Approvals are expected from late 2023 through early 2024.
Smart Link Plus is under development and subject to change. Certain conditions apply for Smart Link Plus programme enrolment and to obtain the free Smart Link Plus box. Installation costs apply. For aircraft eligibility or other considerations, customers can contact Bombardier.
