Close To 600 lb. Empty Weight On Some Models

Aero-News has learned through the Canadian distributor of Challenger ultralights, National Ultralight Inc, that Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Corp has increased the manufacturer specified gross weight for Challenger II aircraft to 960 lbs. The increase is applicable to all Challenger II long wing aircraft kits manufactured after the middle of 1990 -- when changes to the long wing structure were implemented -- as well as to all Challenger II Special clip wing aircraft.

The applicable Challengers at 960 lbs gross weight meet or exceed the ultimate load factors of +6G and -3G required for the Advanced Ultralight category. With either the Rotax-503 or -582 engine, these Challengers at 960 lbs also meet or exceed the performance standards required for the Advanced category, according to National Ultralights.
 
After deducting the Advanced category's required Minimum Useful Load of 375 lbs for Rotax-503 equipped planes, the empty weight may be up to 585 lbs. Challengers with a Rotax-582 require a Minimum Useful Load of 382.5 lbs, so the empty weight may be as great as 577.5 lbs. This gives owners a great deal more legal leeway for options, accessories and amphibious floats.

Not sure if your Challenger (there are over 3,000 worldwide, according to National) meets the uprated criteria? Here's how to tell if the increased 960 lb gross weight is applicable to a particular Challenger in the Advanced category:

• All Challenger II Special clip wing aircraft may operate at 960 lbs with +6G and -3G ultimate load factors.
• All Challenger II long wing aircraft with the last four digits of the serial number greater than 0602 may operate at 960 lbs with +6G and -3G ultimate load factors.
• Challenger II long wing aircraft with serial numbers between 0500 and 0602 inclusive must be physically checked to determine which version wing structure they have. This inspection is performed by feeling the bottom of the wing to locate the compression struts and measuring the distance between them. If the spacing is 3 ft then the aircraft may be operated at 960 lbs gross weight. If the spacing is 4 ft then the aircraft is restricted to 800 lbs in the Advanced category in order to meet the +6G and -3G ultimate load factor requirement.
• Challenger II long wing aircraft with the last four digits of the serial number less than 0500 are restricted to 800 lbs in the Advanced category in order to meet the +6G and -3G ultimate load factor requirement.

The company states Challenger II long wing aircraft restricted to 800 lbs may increase their gross weight to 960 lbs by installing new generation wings. Modifying the previous generation wings is not permissible. The new wing installation must be certified as Fit For Flight by an authorized Challenger inspector.

Due to their smaller engine size, Challengers with the Rotax 447 engine have their gross weight limited to 800 lbs for performance reasons, even if the airframe meets the 960 lb criteria.

Transport Canada published this expanded Challenger Type Definition on their Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes on November 29, 2005. No paperwork is required to be submitted by individual owners to Transport Canada in order to operate at the new 960 lb gross.

FMI: www.challenger.ca, www.quadcitychallenger.com