General Aviation Swiss Air-Rescue Rega receives third and final Challenger 650

Rega´s third Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet represents the completion of the operator´s fleet renewal strategy. Rega will use the aircraft for air ambulance missions, in which it rescues and repatriates Swiss citizens around the world.

All three Challenger 650 aircraft for Rega have been manufactured at Bombardier’s facility at Ontario, Canada.

Earlier in 2018, Rega took delivery of the two other Challenger 650 aircraft. All three aircraft will now replace the aging Challenger 604 fleet. The new state-of-the-art aircraft demonstrate the commitment of the operator to serve its customers with the most modern equipment possible.

David Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft said: “It is with the utmost confidence and pride that we deliver a third Challenger 650 aircraft to our partners at Rega [...] Confidence because we know these aircraft have the reliability that is so important when lives are on the line, and pride to see the Challenger platform configured into the world’s most advanced air ambulance.”

Over the course of the air ambulance operations, the three Rega Challenger 650 aircraft have been equipped not with a normal cabin. Two modern intensive care units have been installed instead of normal seats. Moreover, two patient beds are available. According to Bombardier, this configuration ensures the most comfortable environment during any special mission.

The commercial Bombardier Challenger 650 platform is known as one of the world´s best-selling large business aircraft. It has a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles with state-of-the-art flight decks. The Bombardier Vision deck features an advanced HUD and other modern technologies that help to reduce pilot´s workload and to increase the situational awareness.

Known as a non-profit organization, Swiss Air-Rescue Rega has been Bombardier customer since 1982. Back then, the carrier took delivery of its first Challenger aircraft. Rega also operates flights within Switzerland, using a fleet of 17 helicopters. Especially missions in the Alps are a very important branch for the operator.