National Ultralight Inc.

Gross Weight 960 Lbs


Announcement

Challenger II Gross Weight Increased From 800 lbs To 960 lbs

November 15, 2005

This announcement applies to the original Challenger II series of aircraft.
It does not apply to the new Challenger Light Sport series models.

The Challenger Light Sport XL-65 and XS-65 have a gross weight of 1060 lbs. This requires the 582 power pack, the X Series wing with integrated fuel tanks, the X Series heavy duty main landing gear, and the heavy load saddle kit.
All other Challenger Light Sport models have a gross weight of 960 lbs.

Click here for details on the new Challenger Light Sport models.

National Ultralight Inc, the exclusive Canadian distributor for Challenger aircraft, announced today that Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Corp has increased the manufacturer specified gross weight for Challenger II aircraft to 960 lbs.

This increase is applicable to all Challenger II long wing aircraft kits manufactured after mid 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.

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. For example if your well-equipped Challenger II weighs in at 400-450 lbs on wheels then adding Puddlejumper amphibs will increase your empty weight by 105-110 lbs so you will still meet the Minimum Useful Load requirement.

Here is how to determine if the increased 960 lb gross weight is applicable to a particular Challenger II in the Advanced category:

a) All Challenger II Special clip wing aircraft may operate at 960 lbs with +6G and -3G ultimate load factors.

b) 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.

c) Challenger II long wing aircraft with the last four digits of the serial number 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.

d) 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.

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.

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.

It is essential that owners review this announcement carefully to ensure that their Challenger meets the requirements before operating at 960 lbs gross!

All Challenger owners in Canada should be enrolled in the Customer Support Section on www.challenger.ca to keep abreast of news and to take advantage of the extensive repository of information online. Access is free. Enroll here.

Please contact Bryan Quickmire at National Ultralight with any questions.


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