Bombardier Aerospace has announced that on October 5 Transport Canada granted approval for the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and aircraft window modifications on the Challenger 605, one month ahead of schedule. Approvals by the FAA and other regulatory agencies are expected within weeks, a company spokesman said.

The new aircraft, on static display at Orlando Executive Airport, is the second of two aircraft in the test program. The $26.7 million jet was officially unveiled at last year’s NBAA Convention, and made its maiden flight on January 22 in Montreal. It is currently undergoing flight testing and Bombardier expects the aircraft to enter service by October 2007.

The company spokesman would not reveal the order backlog for the Challenger 605 but said he expects Bombardier to produce two to three aircraft per month, as was the case for the 604.

The Challenger 605 looks nearly identical to the 604 on the outside, but its Rockwell Collins flight deck features four 10- by 12-inch LCD screens, which increase the viewable area by 55 percent over that of the Challenger 604. The integrated flight information system (IFIS) gives both pilots access to electronic navigation charts and procedure diagrams. The company gives partial credit to lighter weight avionics for the aircraft’s overall weight reduction of 200 pounds compared with the Challenger 604–enough to allow one more passenger.

Inside the cabin, the 605 features several enhancements over its predecessor, including more headroom and LED lighting throughout. The windows have been enlarged and relocated, and a new window reveal design allows more natural light for passengers. A digital, Ethernet-based cabin electronic system includes touch-screen controls and supports optional high-speed Internet connectivity.