Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Bombardier manufactures a variety of business aircraft models, provides engineering, and aircraft maintenance services.

Bombardier Challenger 600, 601, 604, 605, and 650

Matt Thurber

A challenging matte paint finish was the final step in Volare Aviation’s refurbishment of a 2000 model Bombardier Challenger 604, capping a job that included an avionics upgrade and full cabin interior redo. Volare head of design Jake Ostridge led the team that designed and completed the business jet’s refurbishment.
“This&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;looks completely different to everything out there,” he said. “Normally when you see a business jet, they are white with a colored stripe, which is great, but they all look the same to me. The matte green really stands out and looks more&nbsp;luxurious,&nbsp;especially in this satin finish. You walk up and you go, ‘Oh wow, this is different!’
The 604’s owner was ready with a concept for the design, so the Volare team produced mood boards, color palettes, and material combinations to help narrow down the final configuration. In meeting the owner’s desires, Volare’s designers were able to make the 604’s cabin look more spacious and increase the passenger capacity. At the rear of the cabin, a four-place conference-seating configuration helps provide a more sociable environment.
“Matte exteriors are&nbsp;actually really&nbsp;difficult to get right,” he added. “The difference between matte clear and gloss clear is if you have imperfections with gloss, you can file them out. But the thing with the matte is, as it comes out of the gun, that is the finish. You&nbsp;can’t&nbsp;buff it, you&nbsp;can’t&nbsp;polish it, so if there is one problem, it&nbsp;has to&nbsp;be redone.”&nbsp;
In the flight deck, Volare technicians upgraded the 604 to the Collins Pro Line Fusion suite. A Starlink satcom system gives passengers access to high-speed connectivity in the cabin, while their audio experience is enhanced by a Bang &amp; Olufsen system connected to four Beosound Emerge speakers and a dedicated subwoofer.
“The aim was to future-proof the aircraft by integrating the very best technology available, both in the cockpit and throughout the cabin,”&nbsp;Ostridge said.&nbsp;

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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In this article

Challenger 600 Series

Bombardier

More In Cabin Interior and Electronics

Starlink’s Fastest Service Available for Hawker Owners

New Aviation Performance Kit makes highest Starlink speeds available

Enflite Receives TSO Nod for Galley Equipment

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Gogo Responds to Growing Connectivity Demand in Africa

Satcom specialist is participating in this week’s Aviation Africa Summit

SpaceX Appoints FAI Technik as Starlink Dealer

Company has installed its first system in a Bombardier Global XRS

FlightPath3D and Gogo Extend Bizav Partnership

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