Bombardier Challenger 350 Aircraft Sets World Speed Record

11.11.15

Bombardier Challenger 350 Aircraft Owned By VistaJet Sets World Speed Record

• Flight from Napa Valley to the Cayman Islands was completed in five hours and five minutes

Montréal, November 11, 2015 – A Bombardier Challenger 350 aircraft, owned by VistaJet, a global leader in premium long-range private jet travel, set a world speed record in its class, flying from Napa Valley to the Cayman Islands – a distance of 2,774 miles (4,463 km) – in five hours and five minutes*.

The US-registered Challenger 350 aircraft, managed and operated by Priester Aviation**, departed Napa County Airport in California at 8:22 a.m. PDT on October 28, 2015 with three crew and two passengers on board. The maximum cruising speed was M 0.83 at a cruise level of 41,000 feet (12,497 m). The pilots touched down at Owen Robert International Airport in Grand Cayman at 1:27 p.m. PDT with more than sufficient fuel reserves.

“The Challenger 350 aircraft handled beautifully throughout the flight,” said Priester Aviation’s Captain Andy Wegman. “Thanks to its unmatched climb characteristics, we took it straight to 41,000 feet (12,497 m) in under 20 minutes, where we cruised comfortably at ground speeds up to 545 kts to set the record.”

“This achievement is another example of the impressive speed, climb and range capabilities of the super midsize Challenger 350 aircraft,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “We are pleased to share this honour with our valued customer VistaJet and congratulate the entire VistaJet and Priester Aviation team on achieving this new world record.”

“We’ve taken delivery of 13 Challenger 350 jets over the past year, and to date, our experience with this aircraft has been very positive,” said Nick Van Der Meer, Chief Operating Officer, VistaJet International. “We provide our customers with the best aircraft options for their intercontinental and transcontinental travel needs, and the capability showcased by the Challenger 350 jet on this new world speed record serves to reinforce this commitment.”

About the Challenger 350 Aircraft
The Challenger 350 jet boasts class-defining performance, a true seats full, tanks full, 3,200 NM (5,926 km) range that connects New York City with London***. The Challenger 350 jet builds upon the legendary segment defining clean-sheet Challenger 300 jet.

Not only does it feature the very latest in avionics functionality, but it also offers the segment’s most advanced cabin that maximizes natural light and redefines interior comfort and design sophistication, all the while maintaining the performance attributes that have become synonymous with the Challenger family.

About VistaJet 
Founded in 2004 by Thomas Flohr, VistaJet has established itself as the global leader in premium long-range private jet travel by consistently providing excellent service and unrivalled quality to its fast growing clientele, connecting them to every corner of the world with point-to-point coverage. VistaJet operates a young fleet – total fleet average age is under two years – of over 50 Bombardier Global and Challenger business aircraft and offers the industry’s largest service area, covering all major markets. The Company’s unique and successful business model provides all the benefits of owning a personal jet without the responsibilities or asset risk of ownership. VistaJet aircraft have to date visited over 180 countries, landed at 1,354 airports worldwide, logged over 73,500 flights and carried over 174,000 passengers. News and information are available at www.vistajet.com.

About Priester Aviation
Priester Aviation is among the world’s most experienced global private aviation companies, specializing in aircraft management and private jet travel solutions. With 70 years of experience, Priester Aviation is an elite private aircraft operator that holds the highest safety accreditations including the ARGUS Platinum rating, Wyvern Wingman, IS-BAO Stage III and Air Charter Safety Foundation certification. News and information are available at www.priesterav.com.

About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world’s leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, we posted revenues of $20.1 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

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*The flight is currently awaiting approval from the National Aeronautic Association (NAA). Once validated, the NAA will submit the record to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) in Lausanne, Switzerland for international ratification.

**VistaJet owned and U.S. registered aircraft are operated by duly licensed air carriers. VistaJet and its U.S. subsidiary, VistaJet US Inc., are not U.S. direct or indirect carriers.

***Under certain operating conditions.

Bombardier, Bombardier Business Aircraft, Challenger, Challenger 300, Challenger 350, Globaland The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.