Flying Colours Achieves ADS-B STC for Bombardier Challenger 604/605

Flying Colours Corp., the Canadian headquartered completions, refurbishment and maintenance specialist has secured a Supplemental Type Certificate for ADS-B OUT for Bombardier Challenger 600-2B16 (604 and 605) airframes from the U.S.-based FAA. The first aircraft to be fitted with the system, a Bombardier Challenger 605, was completed at their U.S. facility in late September. The STC will be submitted for validation by both Transport Canada and Europe's EASA this year.

Following certification Flying Colours Corp. has moved on to a second ADS-B installation on a Bombardier Challenger 300 which will be inducted in November. It is anticipated that the FAA will certify this type before the end of the year. "Flying Colours U.S. facility is renowned for its maintenance capabilities on the Challenger 300 aircraft so achieving an STC for this model was the logical next step," says Troy Funk, VP Technical Services Flying Colours Corp.

The awarding of the STC follows a significant investment from Flying Colours Corp. which has worked for a year to generate the necessary skills and technology requirements. With the newly approved STC in place the Flying Colours Corp. sales team will maximize the opportunity presented by this year's NBAA to share details of installation, relate pricing, explain downtime expectations and answer other queries for show delegates.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance - OUT (ADS-B OUT) enables the aircraft to report highly accurate position and status information to air traffic control, replacing the need for traditional radar. With EASA mandating that by 7 December 2017, all aircraft with a maximum certified take off weight exceeding 5,700kg, or having a maximum cruise airspeed capability greater than 250 kts, must be ADS-B OUT (DO-260B) compliant Flying Colours Corp. anticipates that the latest STC will bring new customers to them as well as support the needs of existing clients.

Funk continues, "With this new STC we can offer our owners a fully compliant option that meets the full FAA/EASA requirements for ADS-B OUT. It adds to our growing list of STCs, and illustrates our commitment to investing in the technology and know how to support the upgrades our customers will need for their aircraft."

The STC will be available for installation at all Flying Colours Corp. facilities upon issuance.