Giving a Challenger a Second Life in Aviation Training

Spatial Composite Solutions is working with CrewSafety Australia on a unique aviation training project. Together, they are transforming a Bombardier Challenger into a specialised Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer (CEET) in Melbourne, Australia.

Unlike a traditional purpose-built simulator, this project begins with a genuine business jet. As a result, the approach preserves the aircraft’s authenticity while introducing the systems needed for realistic emergency training.

Engineering a Second Life for the Aircraft

Importantly, the Challenger retains its original structure and much of its interior. This includes the cabin, galley and flight deck.

Spatial’s role involves specialist engineering and systems integration. Specifically, this includes a new training door, replacement electrical systems and visual systems. Together, these will support a range of realistic, scenario-based training exercises.

Converting an existing aircraft presents a different engineering challenge from building a simulator from scratch. Therefore, every new system must be integrated around the original structure. This ensures the training environment retains the features that make it authentic.

Marc Van den Broucque, Managing Partner at Spatial Composite Solutions, explains:

“This is a particularly interesting project as it is exceedingly rare to be offered an airframe in such good, and complete, condition. The challenge has been integrating the functionality CrewSafety needs while retaining the authenticity of the original business jet wherever possible. It’s exactly the kind of bespoke engineering challenge our team enjoys taking on.”

Challenger CEET: Training in an Authentic Aircraft Environment

Once complete, the CEET will provide a realistic training environment for business aviation crews. In addition, it will support personnel working in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, law enforcement, rescue and aeromedical operations.

The trainer retains the aircraft’s original configuration, allowing crews to practise emergency procedures in a familiar environment. Consequently, this helps build confidence and prepares crews for real-world emergencies.

For CrewSafety Australia, that authenticity is central to the project.

Joseph Marks, CEO of CrewSafety Australia, explains:

“In an emergency, crews need to make decisions and act quickly in the environment they know. That is why we wanted to start with a real aircraft. Spatial is helping us turn an exceptionally well-preserved Challenger into a training device that will let crews practise in an authentic cabin and build confidence for the moments that matter most”

A New Purpose for an Existing Aircraft

The collaboration combines CrewSafety Australia’s aviation safety training expertise with Spatial’s specialist engineering capabilities. Together, they are developing a bespoke training solution tailored to the needs of aviation professionals.

Once operational, the Challenger CEET will add a distinctive capability to CrewSafety’s Melbourne training facility. In turn, it will provide an authentic environment for aviation professionals to develop and practise essential emergency procedures.

Once designed to carry passengers, the aircraft is now beginning a new chapter. Its purpose is to help crews prepare for the moments when effective training matters most.