Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Bombardier manufactures a variety of business aircraft models, provides engineering, and aircraft maintenance services.

Bombardier Challenger 600, 601, 604, 605, and 650

Matt Thurber

Butler National subsidiary Avcon Industries is offering two special-mission modifications for Bombardier Challenger 604, 605, and 650 twinjets under new supplemental type certificates (STCs) issued by the FAA. The modifications are for fuselage underside rail mounting provisions for sensors and mission equipment and a fuselage underside-mounted radome.
The Challenger rail system STC is similar to a previously approved Avcon STC for Beechcraft King Airs and Cessna Caravans. The rails can accommodate mission sensors such as large radar systems and electro-optical/infrared equipment.
To make the special-mission radome compatible with synthetic aperture radar systems and other sensors, Avcon engineers designed the radome with advanced materials that provide a range of transmissivity characteristics.
“The Challenger platform is widely used worldwide for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime patrol, and other special-mission applications due to its combination of range, cabin volume, and operational flexibility,” said Avcon Industries president Marcus Abendroth. “The Avcon team worked diligently to secure these certifications, and we appreciate their commitment, expertise, and technical achievement throughout the program.
“These certifications significantly expand the Avcon special mission platform portfolio and position the Challenger 604/605/650 as an attractive option for customers requiring greater range, endurance, payload capacity, and mission flexibility. The Challenger STCs represent another step in the Avcon strategy to expand its portfolio of special-mission aircraft modification solutions across multiple aircraft platforms.”

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Avcon Adds Two Special-mission Modifications for Large-cabin Challengers

Fuselage rail system and radome approvals expand the company’s offerings

Avcon engineers designed the radome with advanced materials that provide a range of transmissivity characteristics.

Avcon Adds Two Special-mission STCs for Challengers

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

New software helps aircraft operators avoid reformatting documents

Web Manuals Rolls Out XML Document Management Tool

Curt Epstein

The 250,000-sq-ft addition will be operational in 2028

Bombardier’s Singapore Maintenance Facility To Expand

The company saw record demand for AOG services last month 

West Star Aviation Rises To Meet Soaring AOG Demand

It aims to create national footprint

California MRO Expands to Colorado with Company Buy

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

In this article

Challenger 600 Series

Bombardier

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New location authorized for maintenance and repairs on Falcons, Challengers, Citations, and more

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The facility at Addison Airport is the company’s fifth satellite location

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