A challenging matte paint finish was the final step in Volare Aviation’s refurbishment of a 2000 model Bombardier Challenger 604, capping a job that included an avionics upgrade and full cabin interior redo. Volare head of design Jake Ostridge led the team that designed and completed the business jet’s refurbishment.
“This aircraft looks completely different to everything out there,” he said. “Normally when you see a business jet, they are white with a colored stripe, which is great, but they all look the same to me. The matte green really stands out and looks more luxurious, especially in this satin finish. You walk up and you go, ‘Oh wow, this is different!’
The 604’s owner was ready with a concept for the design, so the Volare team produced mood boards, color palettes, and material combinations to help narrow down the final configuration. In meeting the owner’s desires, Volare’s designers were able to make the 604’s cabin look more spacious and increase the passenger capacity. At the rear of the cabin, a four-place conference-seating configuration helps provide a more sociable environment.
“Matte exteriors are actually really difficult to get right,” he added. “The difference between matte clear and gloss clear is if you have imperfections with gloss, you can file them out. But the thing with the matte is, as it comes out of the gun, that is the finish. You can’t buff it, you can’t polish it, so if there is one problem, it has to be redone.”
In the flight deck, Volare technicians upgraded the 604 to the Collins Pro Line Fusion suite. A Starlink satcom system gives passengers access to high-speed connectivity in the cabin, while their audio experience is enhanced by a Bang & Olufsen system connected to four Beosound Emerge speakers and a dedicated subwoofer.
“The aim was to future-proof the aircraft by integrating the very best technology available, both in the cockpit and throughout the cabin,” Ostridge said.
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