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Certified in 2015, the Bombardier Challenger 650 is the fifth iteration of the 600 series.
Alongside launch customer NetJets, Bombardier announced the 4,000-nm-range Challenger 650 in 2014 and obtained Transport Canada certification of the twinjet in November 2015.
According to the Aviation Week Fleet Discovery Database, NetJets operates one third of the Challenger 650s in the field, demonstrating its commitment to the type. The fractional operator added the -650 to its European fleet in 2022.
"The generously sized, well-appointed cabin offers a luxurious experience that is further elevated by the personalized service of a NetJets flight attendant," says NetJets. "Capable of achieving a high-speed cruise of 540 miles per hour, this stunning aircraft with excellent range is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics."
The fifth iteration of the 600 series, the midsize Challenger 650 is powered by 9,220-lb.-thrust General Electric CF34-3B MTO engines and fitted with Bombardier’s Vision flight deck, based on the Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced integrated avionics system, with MultiScan weather radar and synthetic vision.
Accommodating up to 12 passengers, the Challenger 650 will fly to 4,000 nm max range with six passengers, two crew and NBAA IFR reserves. Max speed is Mach 0.85, with typical cruise speed of Mach 0.80. The jet requires 5,640 ft. of runway at maximum takeoff weight (48,200 lb.) in standard conditions at sea level, and 2,402 ft. landing distance.
The Challenger 650’s performance can link nonstop city pairs such as New York to Los Angeles, London to Dubai, and Dubai to Singapore. Steep approach certification enables it to land at London City Airport and operate from challenging airports such as Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Colorado and Switzerland’s Lugano Airport.
“The Challenger 650 offers the widest cabin in its class, as well as the highest sleeping capacity, which ensures passengers have the space to move around freely,” Bombardier says. “The aircraft is also extremely reliable. With a dispatch reliability of over 99.9%, it has been selected as the platform of choice for special missions and armed forces operations around the world, as well as being a platform of choice for medevac.”
In 2017, Bombardier started offering high-speed Ka-band satellite connectivity from service provider Viasat on the 650 and as a retrofit system on in-service 650s as well as Challenger 604s and 605s.
Earlier Iterations
The Challenger 650’s predecessor, the CF34-3B-powered Challenger 605, entered service in 2007. The 605 replaced the Collins Pro Line 4 avionics system of the Challenger 604 with Collins’ Pro Line 21 suite. (In 2018, Nextant Aerospace certified a Pro Line 4-to-Pro Line Fusion upgrade of the Challenger 604 that replaced factory-installed CRT displays with three 14.1-in. widescreen LCD displays with configurable windows.)
Government operators including the Hong Kong Government Flying Service use the Challenger 605 as a mission platform; the Royal Canadian Air Force uses the Challenger 650. In June 2024, Sierra Nevada Corp. announced the award of a $170 million contract to deliver two RAPCON-X intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft to the Finnish Border Guard based on the –650. The systems integrator expects to deliver the jets in 2026 and 2027.
The Aviation Week Fleet Discovery Database counted 285 delivered Challenger 605s and 164 Challenger 650s in February. Netjets had 49 Challenger 650s in North America and five in Europe.
There were four pre-owned Challenger 650s and 19 605s being offered for sale in February. “Our pre-owned Challenger 605/650s are competitively priced and aligned to industry pricing for pre-owned aircraft,” Bombardier says. “With the widest in-class cabin and the industry’s most reliable platform, these models offer customers exceptional value.”
The factory-new average equipped price of the Challenger 650 in 2015 was $32,350,000; its average retail value as of last year was $16,500,000, according to the Aircraft Bluebook.
The factory-new list standard equipped price of the Challenger 605 in 2007 was $27,381,000; its average retail value at the end of 2024 was $9.75 million.
The Challenger 650 cabin measures 6-ft. high, 7 ft. 11 in. wide, and 25 ft. 7 in. in length. A baggage compartment provides an additional 115 ft.3 of space. The standard seating configuration has four-place club seating forward, a three-place divan and two facing seats aft, and a fully enclosed lavatory.
Challenger 605/650 maintenance intervals call for 36, 48, 96, 192 and 240-month inspections.
“The Challenger 650 offers low direct operating costs—such as low part costs, long maintenance intervals and superior fuel efficiency,” Bombardier says. “All in all, these attributes make the Challenger 650 an all-around excellent choice for customers.”
BCA welcomes comment and insight from aircraft dealers and brokers for its monthly 20/Twenty pre-owned aircraft market feature. The focus aircraft for March is the Leonardo AW139, and for April, the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. To participate, contact [email protected].
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