How the Challenger jets stack up in engine performance, technology, and cabin capacity.
Bombardier is an industry leader in private jet manufacturing, boasting two lines of business jets, Challenger and Global. The Canadian manufacturer’s Challenger aircraft series suits business travel needs for up to 12 passengers. While this line of jets offers various product features to achieve optimum performance and comfort, there are some key differences between the three models.
Let’s take a closer look at the distinguishing aspects of the Challenger aircraft.
Based on the same platform, the Challenger 350 and 3500 models are mechanically similar. Both have a maximum range of 3,200 NM (5,926 km) and can accommodate up to 10 passengers. Both aircraft are powered by Honeywell HTF7350 turbofan engines, which Honeywell Aerospace developed specifically for Bombardier. The top speed is 882 km/hr.
The primary difference between the 350 and 3500 is in the avionics. Bombardier’s fact sheet on the Challenger 3500 notes specific attributes that the 350 does not have. The 3500 aircraft features the industry’s first voice-controlled cabin. The avionics suite features four displays, the largest 4k displays in its class. The Challenger 350 and 3500 variants are the same in size and engine performance, but the 3500 is the 350’s more technologically advanced sibling.
The 3500 variant is also set apart from both the 350 and 650 models by its autothrottle system and mechanically controlled seats. The Challenger 3500 provides the patented Nuage zero-gravity-position seats, a significant innovation in private jet seat architecture.
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Bombardier’s Challenger 650 boasts a more powerful engine, longer maximum range, and larger seating capacity than the 350 and 3500. Powered by GE CF34-3B engines, the 650’s maximum range is 4,000 NM (7,408 km) and its top speed is 1,049 km/hr.
There are key mechanical differences between the Challenger 650 and the 350 and 3500 models. The thrust produced by the 650’s GE engines comes in at 9,220 pounds-force, while the thrust produced by the 350 and 350 models’ Honeywell engine is 7,323 pounds-force. Another difference is the airfield performance of the aircraft, as the Challenger 650’s takeoff distance is 5,640 feet (1,720 m), while the takeoff distance for the 350 and 3500 is 4,835 feet (1,474 m).
Bombardier’s fact sheet on the aircraft notes that the 650 offers the widest-in-class cabin and the highest sleeping capacity in its class. The cabin's interior is wider than the 350 and 3500 and can accommodate up to 12 passengers.
While there are several distinguishing factors between the Challenger series variants, the three models have much in common as well. Bombardier’s fact sheets note that its Challenger series aircraft entails the lowest direct operating costs due to fuel efficiency, longer maintenance intervals, and low-cost parts. Additionally, all three offer air-to-ground Internet capability, BluRay, HDMI, and Wi-Fi. An available Head-up Display with Enhanced Vision System, dual flight management system, Synthetic Vision System, and MultiScan weather radar are avionics common to all the Challenger aircraft.
If you’re interested in learning more about Bombardier’s larger business jets, please see our guide to the manufacturer’s Global product line.
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