Challenger 350 to Take Time-to-Climb Primacy

The Challenger 350 will become the time-to-climb leader of the entire Bombardier business jet line once it enters service next year, Bombardier Challenger v-p and general manager Stephane Lablanc told a gathering of reporters during a technical briefing here yesterday. Bombardier expects the super midsize to jet to reach 41,000 feet in 18 minutes, surpassing the current leader, the Learjet 60.

Now 30 percent through the flight test program, the Challenger 350 has flown some 200 hours validating performance specifications related to a new set of winglets that effectively extend the wingspan of its Challenger 300 cousin by nine feet. The longer and stronger wing allows for an increase in mtow of 1,750 pounds over the Challenger 300 and about 750 more pounds of fuel.