Ottawa—The Canada Aviation Museum is poised to receive a prototype Canadair Challenger business jet aircraft early next week. Weather conditions permitting, the aircraft is scheduled to complete its last flight with a landing at the Rockcliffe Airport on the Museum site in Ottawa to assume its place in Canada’s internationally renowned aeronautical collection.

The aircraft will be flown to Ottawa by Bombardier staff pilots from the company’s flight test facility in Wichita, Kansas.

The Challenger was developed by Canadair in the late 1970’s from a design by American aviation pioneer William “Bill” Lear. It was the first wide-bodied business jet and rapidly became a commercial success. Production has continued at the Bombardier plant in Montreal for over 25 years and more examples of the Challenger have been sold than any other aircraft in its category.

The Museum’s aircraft, S/N 3991 (C-GCGT), is the third prototype of the original Challenger 600 model and is the oldest airworthy Challenger in existence. Since its construction in 1979, it has served continuously as a Bombardier test aircraft. It was converted successively as a prototype for more advanced models of the Challenger, the 601 and 604 series. Most recently it has acted as a test bed for advanced fly-by-wire control technology.

“The development and production of the Challenger business jet launched the rebirth of the Canadian aviation industry in the 1980's. The Museum greatly appreciates Bombardier’s commitment to the preservation of Canada’s aeronautical heritage through the donation of this milestone aircraft.” said Anthony P. Smyth, Director General, of the Canada Aviation Museum.

The Museum plans to have the aircraft on public display by the summer of 2006. Specific arrival updates and information will be made available at 613 993-4243.

The Canada Aviation Museum, is located at the intersection of the Aviation and Rockcliffe Parkways in Ottawa.