Challenger 604

[hawkerjet]

Hey Everyone,
I am interested in what the 604 drivers have to say about their aircraft. I am looking for pro's and cons of the 604. I am looking for the quirks in this airplane and would like to hear about the negatives as a pilot perceives them. We are considering a 604 as a replacement to our westwind. We are also considering the Falcon 900C, and EX.

 

[GVFlyer]

Hey Everyone,
I am interested in what the 604 drivers have to say about their aircraft. I am looking for pro's and cons of the 604. I am looking for the quirks in this airplane and would like to hear about the negatives as a pilot perceives them. We are considering a 604 as a replacement to our westwind. We are also considering the Falcon 900C, and EX.

No comment the relative merits of the CL604, but you're looking at a pretty wide price spread. A 604 won't cost you more than $26.00 million, a F900C could cost you up to $32.50 million and getting in line for a new F900EX will cost you $36.15 million.


GV

 

[CL600Pilot]

Hey Everyone,
I am interested in what the 604 drivers have to say about their aircraft. I am looking for pro's and cons of the 604. I am looking for the quirks in this airplane and would like to hear about the negatives as a pilot perceives them. We are considering a 604 as a replacement to our westwind. We are also considering the Falcon 900C, and EX.

I think the 604 is a great jet - the best overall corporate jet I've flown thus far. It doesn't have any real 'quirks'. Pros and cons depend on your mission....it's a gigantic step (read expensive) up from a Westwind - are you sure that you need that much airplane? The 604 is no slouch but it's not a short field airplane - especially if you're taking a large payload. Either of the Falcons will have better runway performance and I believe they're a bit faster as well. I think that generally your pax will like the Challenger cabin more than the Falcon - especially if you're going to do any long hauls.

An important note - I don't know if you've been paying attention to it or not but there was something in the news last week about the NTSB urging GE to do something to CRJ engines as a result of the Pinnacle accident in Jefferson City in 2004.....the engines didn't have anything to do with the jet crashing but I don't want to start that argument again........if they come out with an AD for the CF34's it will not be cheap and it will affect the 604 fleet as well (same engines).

I might be able to find some of my manuals with relative ease if you want any specific numbers...PM me and let me know