Fin cockpit - Nextant Pro Line Fusion i Challenger 604 - Curt Lewis

NEXTANT LAUNCHES PRO LINE FUSION FOR CHALLENGER 604 AIRCRAFT

Nextant Aerospace, known for its 400XTi Beechjet and G90XT King Air remanufacturing projects, has branched out into the large-cabin market. At a press conference at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, the company announced its latest program-the Challenger 604XT. It's a massive upgrade of Bombardier's Challenger 604 instrument panel. Nextant says it will replace the 604's standard Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics suites with Rockwell Collins' latest avionics platform-the Pro Line Fusion.

For all the latest in GA news, start your AOPA Pilot Magazine subscription now. The Pro Line Fusion will give the 604 three large display screens with interactive touch-screen capability and bring a full package of equipment aimed at a turnkey modernization. The new panel will comply with the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) mandate and have full GPS approach capability, including localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV). Also onboard will be synthetic vision, georeferenced electronic charts with own-ship aircraft position for both ground and in-flight operations, and the ability to perform fast database updates using USB drive ports or wireless technology.

"We are excited to bring this program to market in collaboration with Rockwell Collins," said Jay Heublein, Nextant executive vice president. "We have been evaluating opportunities in the large-cabin market for the past three years."

Heublein said the airplane has an exceptional cabin that meets all of Nextant's selection criteria for a remanufacturing program. "The legacy cockpit is in need of modernization and combined with the pending 2020 regulatory requirements, this aircraft is an ideal choice for this program and the timing is perfect," he added.

An incentive program offers this Pro Line Fusion upgrade to those ordering it at EBACE at the introductory price of $599,950. Future enhancements to the 604XT are in the planning stage, and will focus on cabin design and advanced connectivity solutions.