Nextant Aerospace announced that it has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval of an upgraded software Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Challenger 604 aircraft with Pro Line Fusion Avionics.
The long-awaited software upgrade provides added avionics capabilities to enhance safety and awareness while also helping pilots and operators save time. Nextant is making the upgrade available at no charge for current Challenger 604 Pro Line Fusion operators.
“The FAA approval of the upgraded software STC for Challenger 604 aircraft will improve flight crew safety and awareness, and is consistent with our commitment to meeting the needs of our customers,” said Nextant Aerospace Director of Engineering and Certification Kevin Himelright. “We look forward to partnering with our customers, Collins Aerospace and the FAA to ensure these aircraft are provided suitable paths to operate well into the future and to continue to meet the industry’s growing safety and operational mandate challenges.”
This software addresses the fact that the Pro Line Fusion software as originally certified did not include features such as Flight Management System (FMS)-predicted performance and calculated thrust and V-speeds, which already existed on the Challenger 604 Pro Line IV aircraft.
The software upgrade provides the Challenger 604 with FMS-calculated thrust and V-speed functionality as well as FMS-predicted performance, similar to the Precision Plus mode that existed on the earlier Pro Line IV avionics. The software update also includes a new FMS Vertical Situation Display (VSD) for enhanced situational awareness, European Aeronautical Telecommunication Network Baseline 1 (ATN B1) Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) functionality to meet European and overseas mandates, and RNP AR .3 approach functionality which further improves the aircraft’s safety and operational capabilities.
“This is a perfect solution for all Challenger 604 owners and operators,” said Himelright. “Existing Challenger 604 Fusion operators have been awaiting this upgrade for years and can now upgrade their Fusion software free of charge. Challenger 604 operators still using Pro Line IV Avionics now have a suitable upgrade path to address issues of obsolescence in their flight deck without compromising the functionality of their aircraft. The ability for their pilots to operate the aircraft is now drastically improved.”