ADS-B Standards, Options, and Prerequisites for Bombardier Challenger Aircraft

Most Challenger operators are now well aware of the 2020 mandates for ADS-B transponder upgrades for both the U.S. and Europe. However, we find that many are not aware of the ADS-B standards, options, and prerequisites required. 

Here’s a quick explanation…

There are three ADS-B standards:  DO-260, DO-260A, and DO-260B. Areas such as Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Hudson Bay in Canada have implemented ADS-B to the earlier DO-260 / 260A standards.  The United States and Europe will mandate that all aircraft be equipped for ADS-B to the later DO-260B standard.

Bombardier Challenger 300 and Challenger 605

For Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 aircraft, all of which are Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 equipped, the Pro Line 21 Advanced block upgrade must be performed as a prerequisite to the new ADS-B Service Bulletins that cover the DO-260B standard. 

There are STCs available for both aircraft models that do not require the Pro Line 21 Advanced upgrade but do require WAAS GPS receivers as a prerequisite.

Both the SB and STC solutions for the Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 aircraft will meet the DO-260B standard.

Bombardier Challenger 604

The ADS-B SB for the Challenger 604 aircraft currently meets the DO-260A standard for areas such as Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. However, it does not meet the DO-260B standard required for the U.S. and European mandates in 2020. 

Like the Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 aircraft models, there are STCs available now that meet the DO-260B ADS-B standard. 

We anticipate a factory SB solution for DO-260B will become available later this year. WAAS GPS receivers are required prerequisites. 

Bombardier Challenger 601-3A and Challenger 601-3R

We do not expect an ADS-B service bulletin becoming available for the Challenger 601-3A and -3R aircraft models. The good news is there are a number of STCs available now that meet the DO-260B standard. These STCs cover aircraft equipped with the Honeywell Primus II and Collins TDR-94D transponders.

As with the others, WAAS GPS receivers are a prerequisite and accomplished per a Duncan Aviation STC upgrading the NZ-2000 FMSs to 6.1 level software and WAAS / LPV.