Canadair initially approved funding for the design and development of famed aviation designer William Lear’s conceptual Lear Star 600. What eventually became the Challenger business jet began development in 1975. Bringing Innovative New Designs to Market It branched out into rail transportation in the 1970s, developing urban mass-transit solutions (including the Montreal subway system) and innovative long-range, high-speed rail transportation. Bombardier had built its reputation designing and producing snow-going vehicles for freight, personnel, and individual transport (including the Ski-Doo line of personal snowmobiles). Īlthough Bombardier is now one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, its purchase of Canadair was its first foray into the aviation manufacturing industry. The government operated the business for a decade (with minimal financial success) before selling it to Bombardier, a prominent Canadian transportation company. After severe financial struggles and downturns in the aviation industry, the Canadian government re-acquired the company in 1976. The company developed an excellent reputation over the next three decades, becoming known for refining and improving aircraft designed by other producers and designers. Initially, Canadair was General Dynamics’ most active and profitable division due to its close military ties and existing contracts. It was established by the Canadian government for military aircraft production in 1944 but sold in 1947 to General Dynamics Corporation, an American company. Pioneering a New VisionĬanadair Limited in Montreal has been one of the largest companies in the Canadian aircraft industry since its creation. This timeless, enduring workhorse is the product of decades of innovation, planning, reorganizations, and international business drama.

Its elegance, dependability, and focus on passenger and pilot comfort make it an enduringly popular choice in the large-cabin business jet category. Its revolutionary design, decades of refinement and retooling, and reliable, efficient performance ensure that it retains its place in the modern business aviation landscape. The Challenger 604 is an anomaly: an aviation innovation from the 1980s that not only withstands the test of time but continues to be one of the world’s most popular business jets.

Bombardier cl 600 jet