Flight International - 5 June 2018

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FLIGHT TEST

32 | Flight International | 5-11 June 2018

tiller to turn off for taxi back to the ramp.
Shutdown and post flight checks were easily
accomplished.

OFF TO THE TWIN CITIES
Normally after my preview flights the demon-
stration crew and I sit down and debrief the
sortie, but today was unusual. The Challenger
was needed in Minneapolis-St Paul to pick
up a Bombardier executive – a fortunate turn
of events as I needed to get back to the West
Coast. Bombardier graciously allowed me to
dead head on the empty Challenger from
Bradley International to Minneapolis-St Paul.
While I have sampled the passenger cabin
on a large number of business jets, riding in
the back of one for an entire flight would be a
first for me. Dimensionally all the super-mid-
size cabins are within centimetres of each
other, with only the Falcon 2000S’s width
standing out (see table, P31). I found the Chal-
lenger 350’s cabin to be quite large, with a

divan in the aft seating area. As already men-

tioned, the larger windows and smaller pas-

senger service units contributed to an open

and airy feel.

For the flight I was seated in the forward

club seating area, well ahead of the tail-mount-

ed engines. For start, taxi, take-off and initial

climb the forward pocket door, separating the

galley from cabin, was open. The noise level

was quite low as we climbed to altitude. Well

into the climb the flight attendant, Griffin

Bruehl, deployed the acoustic curtain over the

main entry door and closed the forward pocket

door. The ambient noise level was reduced fur-

ther, enhancing what was already a luxurious

ride. At cruise altitude I left my seat and

walked the cabin. Cabin deck angle was nearly

level, which eased movement.

The Challenger 350 features a large aft bag-

gage compartment. The pressurised and air-

conditioned compartment is situated aft of

the lavatory but forward of the pylon-mount-

ed engines’ rotor burst zones. This location

allows the compartment to be accessed in

flight. Since the compartment is air-condi-

tioned passengers need not worry about per-

sonal items, such as makeup, freezing. As

could be expected, ambient noise increased

the closer I got to the engines, but at no point

would I have considered it loud.

After returning to my seat I pulled out the

recessed table and started working on my lap-

top. Wi-fi connectivity was excellent and the

optional broadband allowed me to accomplish

a great deal on my 2.5h flight. Had the flight

been longer I would have looked forward to

napping on one of the berthable seats or really

splashing out and dozing on the divan. Two

standard 22in bulkhead monitors, one forward

and one aft, displayed our route and progress

to Minneapolis-St Paul. While passenger con-

tent can be displayed on them, in today’s envi-

ronment everyone most likely would be look-

ing at their own screens. The cabin experience

is controlled by a Nice HD cabin management

system. Passenger interface is from any one of

eight sidewall-mounted touchscreens or from

an app on a personal device. The available

cabin amenities and service provided by the

cabin attendant made the reposition flight liter-

ally fly by, our landing in snowy Minneapolis

coming all too soon.

Launched nearly two decades ago, the Chal-

lenger 300 and its follow-on, the Challenger

350, have cornered the super-midsize seg-

ment, with more than twice as many deliver-

ies as the nearest competitor. Much has

changed over the years, but the updated Chal-

lenger is once again at the top of its game. Its

voluminous cabin is quite luxurious and will

pamper even the most demanding passenger.

One of its greatest strengths is its trans-conti-

nental legs with eight passengers and their

baggage. From a pilot’s perspective the Chal-

lenger 350 is an honest aircraft with predicta-

ble flying qualities. Fly-by-wire and sidestick

controllers may be the future, but the Chal-

lenger 350’s yoke and cables get the job done.

Passengers and accountants alike will love

the Challenger 350, an aircraft that will con-

tinue to be a major force in the super-midsize

segment for years to come. ■

❯❯

Trans-continental range for

up to eight passengers has

been a strong selling point

Linda Epstein

Linda Epstein
Larger windows boost ambient cabin lighting