Challenger 300: A New Name on the Outside, a New Look on the Inside

There is something of a vogue for reinvention at this year's NBAA, with several top manufacturers renaming and realigning their business aircraft product lines. Now Bombardier has joined the club, with the announcement that henceforth its Continental upper-midsize business jet will join the Challenger family, as the Challenger 300.

The eight-seat Continental, which was launched at the 1999 Paris Air Show, has been taken into the Challenger fold as part of Bombardier' initiative -- announced here at NBAA -- to offer three streamlined product families. Now the Challenger lineup includes the newly arrived Challenger 300, the evergreen Challenger 604 and the Challenger 800 (formerly the Challenger Special Edition).

Visitors to NBAA will not only meet the new name for the first time, they will be able to experience the aircraft's stylish cabin interior-which is installed and making its debut aboard the aircraft. The Challenger 300's standard interior floor plan features double club seating with room for reclining seats. The cabin has ergonomic tables, power outlets and telephone sockets at every seat, providing an efficient working environment for all passengers.

The Challenger 300's flat floor enhances passenger movement through the cabin, while swiveling and tilting seats can be fitted in a number of seating plans. In addition, the absence of a secondary pressure bulkhead provides greater flexibility to optimize the cabin, lavatory and baggage spaces.

The first Challenger 300 took to the air on Aug. 14, 2001, and there are currently four aircraft devoted to the light test program, which has chalked up over 925 flight hours during some 400 flights.