Our Guide to the Bombardier Challenger 605

Looking to upgrade the Challenger 604 jet, Bombardier released the Challenger 605 in 2006. This super mid-size jet is part of the highly acclaimed Challenger line, which passes down the thoughtful design of the jet’s ancestors, and adds on updated technology and improvements.

And although production of the 605 ended in 2016, Bombardier managed to manufacture 290 aircraft in just 10 years; a total of 1,600 Challengers from the series are in-service. The popularity of this particular aircraft is demonstrated by the fact that pre-owned jets are highly sought-after; the average time on the market is just 251 days. In fact, approximately 40 jets from the Challenger 600-line have been purchased by individuals or companies every year for the past 15 years.

Challenger 605 Specifications
Powered by two General Electric CF34-3B engines with 8,729 pounds of thrust, this jet was designed with a lower weight and higher thrust than its predecessors. It also received larger cabin windows and a new tail-cone as a result of its updates. The Challenger 605 uses 258 gallons of fuel per hour.

This private jet is in it for the long-haul, and is capable of flying from New York to Tokyo with a short stopover for refueling. However, operationally, the Challenger 605 is incredibly flexible and is capable of operating out of small airports. For shorter runways, the Challenger 605 should be the jet of choice, as it is capable of getting off the ground with less pavement than comparable midsize jets.

Refer to the table below for more specifications.

Cabin Features of the Super Midsize Jet
The Challenger 605 cabin can accommodate about nine passengers with two crew members. The cabin is 28 feet, 5 inches long and 8 feet, 2 inches wide. It’s the cabin’s width that plays such a key role in the comfort of the passengers, and this series is known for it. It’s full-height ceiling of 6 feet, 1 inch is comfortable for the majority of passengers. An internal baggage area supplies 115 cubic feet of storage.

Three cabin layouts were available at purchase. Each features a forward, horse-shoe shaped galley, a four-chair forward club seating section, a three-piece divan in the aft, and an aft lavatory. Plan variations include two facing chairs in the aft section across from the divan; four-chair conference seating across from the divan; or a shorter main seating area with a larger aft lavatory. High-gloss wood veneers and premium upholstery elevate the environment to that of an executive’s corner office, as do the windows tall enough to see out of, even while standing in the cabin aisle.

One of the major updates the jet received after Bombardier received feedback on its predecessors was the more robust Ethernet-based cabin management system. The cabin is also decked out with an improved galley, larger video monitors, LED wash lighting which is 30 percent brighter than its predecessors, and more sturdy pull-out work tables for those important executive meetings or meal times. Even the lavatory got an ergonomic upgrade! The speech interference level is down to just 55 decibels in the mid-cabin at 0.77 Mach, the equivalent of the whisperings of a household refrigerator.

Overall, the Challenger series is known for its cabin comfort, and is a wise choice for busy executives to fly between business transactions.

The Cockpit of the Bombardier Challenger 605
In the cockpit, your flight crew will find Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics with four large-format LCD screens. The displays are 1.5 times larger than the Challenger 604’s, with higher resolution. The aircraft is certified with an EFB paperless charts capability with a touch screen that controls the cabin management system from the cockpit. “Align-on-the-fly” Honeywell IRSes, on-screen radio tuning, and an integrated standby instrument system are also included.

The widest fuselage in its class creates a roomy cockpit for pilot and co-pilot. With a large windshield and side windows, your pilot gets excellent visibility, including forward-facing, for maneuvering the aircraft.

Additional Benefits of Flying in the Challenger 605
After gathering feedback from focus groups and previous customers, Bombardier made a very special addition to the cabin that makes refurbishing and upgrading finishes a breeze. Each furniture features a “fast-in fast-out” removal/replacement design. When furnishings need to be swapped out or repaired, it is quite easy for your company’s operations and maintenance crew to take care of any issues with minimal interference with the rest of the cabin.

Bombardier Challenger 605 Ownership and Operational Costs
It’s fair to credit the popularity of this jet to the fact that it matches the annual operating costs of a smaller aircraft. In fact, despite its size, it is the least-expensive business aircraft that can fly five passengers 4,000 nautical miles at a long-range cruise.

Owners flying about 400 hours per year should expect variable expenses to be somewhere near $1.5 million, most of which goes toward fuel. The Challenger 605 is estimated to use nearly 330 gallons of fuel per hour. In terms of fixed costs for things like crew salaries, hangar rental fees, insurance, training, maintenance, and more, you can expect to budget around $725,000 per year. Of course, these costs may vary based on your location, your insurance policies, and your pilot compensation program.

A brand-new Challenger 605 sold for about $27 million. Today, the average price of a pre-owned Challenger 605 for sale is about $9 million.

Find a Bombardier Challenger 605 For Sale
To find the Challenger 605 jet that will best suit your business needs and budget, contact and International Aircraft Dealers Association Accredited Aircraft Dealer. Accredited dealers and brokers promise efficient and ethical business transactions. And with their extensive private aviation industry experience and connections to aviation service providers that only relationships spanning decades can provide, you can place an immense amount of trust in them.

Find an IADA Accredited Aircraft Dealer near you. See our dealers’ vetted and verified listings of pre-owned Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft for sale on AircraftExchange.com.