Nav Canada - Flight Inspection Canadair CL-600-2A12 Challenger 601


Troubles with the Avco Lycoming powered Challenger 600 led Canadair (now a division of Bombardier) to develop a vastly improved variant in the form of the General Electric CF-34 powered Challenger 601. Another important change was the addition of winglets, which are also offered as a retrofit to earlier aircraft. The 601 first flew on April 10 1982 and for a time was offered alongside the 600. The 600 was dropped from the model line in 1983. The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a ground-based instrument approach system which provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), such as low ceilings or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or blowing snow. Instrument Approach Procedure charts (or "approach plates") are published for each ILS approach, providing pilots with the needed information to fly an ILS approach during Instrument flight rules (IFR) operations, including the radio frequencies used by the ILS components or navaids and the minimum visibility requirements prescribed for the specific approach. A specially equipped NAV Canada Challenger 601 jet is used to check the systems. While performing the checks, the Challenger will fly a simulated runway approach, normally breaking off its approach once it is over the threshold of the runway. During the flight checks at YVR, this will often result in the Challenger flying over some residential areas at lower than usual altitudes, with the landing gear up. During a routine check, the Challenger will conduct up to 14 approaches to the runway being inspected and during an annual check it will conduct up to 28 approaches. These flight checks can result in some north runway departures.


Size: 5620px × 3733px
Location: Sidney Airport Victoria British Columbia BC Vancouver Island Canada
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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