The Bombardier Model CL.600-2B16 (or CL-604) Challenger is a twin-engine executive jet aircraft for
2 crewmembers and up to 19 passengers. Bill Lear designed the Learstar 600,
a 12-place business jet. Canadair bought the manufacturing rights and renamed it
the Canadair CL-600 Challenger. The first prototype of the airplane flew on 8 November 1978.
The second and third prototypes flew in March and July 1979. On 3 April 1980, a test flight with
the first prototype above the Mojave Desert ended in a disaster, with the airplane crashing due
to a deep stall. In August 1980, certification was granted with temporary restrictions. Deliveries of
the CL-600, powered by two Lycoming ALF-502L turbofans started in 1981. The design
was developed further and on 10 April 1982 the Challenger 601, a refined version with the
more powerful General Electric CF-34 engines and winglets, made its maiden flight.
In 1983, the CL-601 replaced the CL-600 in production. In 1986 Bombardier Aerospace bought Canadair.
The Bombardier Challenger became a family of business jets. A number of models entered
production including in 1989 the CL-600-2B16 or Challenger 604 powered by CF-34-3B engines.
First flight with this engines was on 17 March 1995, with Transport Canada
certification granted that September. First delivery was in January 1996.
On 12 February 2007, Danish Air Force Bombardier Model CL.600-2B15 Challenger C-172 was photographed
at Groningen Airport Eelde, the Netherlands. Challenger 604 C-172 is operated by Esk 721, the transportwing of the Danish Air Force,
based at Alborg, Danmark.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
