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Technology update
Head-up Guidance System for Challenger 604
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A CAT II head-up guidance system was certified by the FAA for use on the Challenger 604 widebody business jet.
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The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Head-up Guidance System (HGS) on Bombardier Aerospace's Challenger 604 widebody business jet. This award has allowed the company to continue developing the Challenger's Category II capability, which will significantly enhance situational awareness
during flight.
The Flight Dynamics HGS system on the Challenger 604 offers a "full flight regime" display usable for takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and approach and is certified for use in weather conditions down to Category II approach minima (100-ft decision height, 1200-ft runway visual range). The Challenger 604 HGS is a derivative of the system presently in use on numerous Canadair Regional Jet airliners around the world. A complete system installation is available at Bombardier's Tucson, AZ, completion facility. The system can also be retrofitted to in-service aircraft at all eight Bombardier Aviation Services (BAS) facilities, in Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Hartford, CT; Indianapolis, IN; Tucson; and Wichita, KS.
HGS displays key flight information and guidance through a holographic "combiner" screen in the pilot's normal field of view. The display is focused at optical infinity, allowing the pilot to see other aircraft and airports without changing eye focus. Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) information is presented head-up, permitting the pilot to focus on the runway during critical situations and still have complete knowledge of the activity in the cockpit. Approved by the FAA in December, the Flight Dynamics' HGS will begin providing a multitude of safety enhancements, particularly in reducing pilot workload during fatigue and adverse weather conditions.
The Challenger 604 can fly 4077 nmi with five passengers at long-range cruise speed or 3769 nmi at Mach .80. The aircraft features one of the widest business jet cabins – more than 8 ft wide – and has comfortable stand-up room at over 6 ft.
Over 490 Challenger aircraft have been delivered to date. These include 146 Challenger 604 business jets, the current production model, which, according to Bombardier, has been the best-selling jet in its class for four years running.
Frank Bokulich
Aerospace Engineering July 2000
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