Canadian Challenger Owners Manual - General -

Your Challenger will be shipped from the factory to you by Roadway/Reimer Transport. They have provided excellent service to us over the years and are very efficient. They also give us a volume discount on their service, which we are happy to pass on to you.

When your plane leaves Moline, it will be given a nine digit 'PRO' number that we will give to you so that you can check up on the progress of your shipment. Call Roadway's computerized tracking service at 1-800-ROADWAY or browse to www.roadway.com. Follow their directions to enter the 9 digit PRO number. The computer will then automatically respond with the date they picked up the shipment and where in the system it is. This will give you a pretty accurate idea of when to expect delivery.

Please realize however, that this only applies to Roadway themselves. If your location necessitates their giving your shipment to another trucking firm for local delivery, then they will only refer to where the shipment terminated within their own system. When the plane arrives, take a moment to check that there is no obvious damage to the boxes. In the event that there is, make note of it on the receipt that the driver will want you to sign that states "received in good condition".

There are a number of accessory items that are available on the after market that you may want to consider for your airplane. Many can be installed after the fact, but some are most easily done while building. One example is a remote choke assembly and throttle quadrant with friction control. Aero Controls in Edmonton make a beautiful set, specifically for the Challenger: 780-458-2422 or aerocontrols@clearwave.ca. Their affiliate LES (Light Engine Services) carries a variety of Rotax parts as well as engine instruments and other items such as fuel line: 780-418-4164 or lighteng@telusplanet.net.

Turbulence Aviation in Quebec is like a supermarket for Challenger goodies. National Ultralight distributes Challenger aircraft and Puddlejumper floats however Turbulence makes numerous Challenger "goodies" including skis, lovely upholstery, custom instrument panels, and lots more. If you're into camping, they have an ingenious 'belly bag' for the Challenger plus a line of ultra light and compact camping gear. Visit www.turbulence.ca or call them at 819-322-2087. They also have a catalogue available.

In the US, 1-800-AIR-WOLF will put you in touch with California Power Systems who amongst many other offerings, sell AV 2, an oil blended specifically for our Rotax engines. Sky Sports can be reached at 1-800-AIR-STUFF or visit www.airstuff.com. They are a good source for a variety of instruments.

Blue Sky variometers (formerly manufactured by Ball) are similar to a Vertical Speed Indicator ("VSI") but are much more sensitive and have zero lag. This makes them much better for soaring (getting centred in the best part of the thermal) and also for float flying (taking off and landing with glassy water). Blue Sky varios come in 2 1/4" or 3 1/8" sizes and with single scale or dual scale. They are electric so unlike the Winter brand varios they do not require a large flask as an air plenum. Power can be supplied by single 9v battery, dual switch selectable 9v batteries, or by the aircraft electrical system (9-48v) with a 9v battery backup. We suggest you keep it simple and order the single 9v battery and a single scale with the 0-1000 fpm range. If you do go dual scale then get 0-1500/600 fpm. You can find them at www.blueskyavionics.com.

While many different floats can be used on the Challenger, the ones that work by far the best are Puddlejumpers. While used throughout the light plane industry, they are designed specifically for the Challenger (the owner of the company is a Challenger owner). They are amphibious with retractable landing gear and come with all the attach hardware ready for mounting on our plane. A retractable water rudder is available as an option. This is recommended if you expect to be maneuvering in confined areas.

Skis are available from several sources at varying prices. Over the years we have learned that the important criteria are lightness with great strength (ice drifts are hard), a slippery base and the need for a sharp 'skate blade' under the skis to provide directional control on glare ice. Obviously quality attach hardware is mandatory.

You will find an intercom system to be a useful addition. While there are countless types on the market, most are designed for general aviation aircraft and do not work that well with the different sound frequencies generated by Rotax engines. An excellent and inexpensive set (headsets or helmets with intercom), designed for this application is available from Comtronics Engineering in Wisconsin: www.comtronicsengineering.com. Their phone number is 860-429-4308. If you have a radio, give them the make and model number so they can provide you with an interface and push to talk switch.

Because of the over 3,000 Challengers sold to date, a great many other items are available from various suppliers for the plane. Always consider weight when adding items to the aircraft. The outstanding performance we enjoy can easily be stifled by adding unnecessary weight.

Challenger owners are extremely fortunate to have a large and capable International Challenger Owners Association. This is manifested in numerous high calibre web gathering places. The sub-section Challenger Resources On The Internet pinpoints the best sites and provides caveats for their use.

The Canadian chapter of the ICOA is headed by Major Claude Roy of Ottawa, email: arm-roy@cyberus.ca, home: 613-836-7243, office: 613-995-9763. In Canada we have major summer and winter Challenger fly-ins as well as numerous other activities. The best way to stay informed about what's going on in the Canadian Challenger world is through www.challenger.ca.

This association is unique in Canada and is an invaluable asset to all owners. Take advantage of it and participate in the activities. You will make new flying friends and find that it will greatly enhance your enjoyment and knowledge of the Challenger.

You must purchase public liability insurance for your aircraft. Insurance is available from several sources. COPA have a plan they offer to members through the Marsh agency at 1-800-361-1625. Membership in COPA is inexpensive and well worthwhile: http://www.copanational.org or 613-236-4901. There are many useful benefits including a comprehensive monthly aviation newspaper with a section devoted to the Canadian ultralight scene.

UPAC also have a group plan which is administered by R. H. Bryson Insurance in Pickering, Ontario 905-831-6656. In general hull insurance is, in our opinion, overpriced. Because of the Challenger's tube and gusset construction, parts are inexpensive and repairs usually relatively easy to do.

You may be interested in acquiring clothing with the 3-colour Challenger logo. We have made an arrangement with Land's End direct mail clothing merchants in Wisconsin. Browse to http://www.landsend.com to see what's available and to place an order call 1-800-338-2000.

They have a wide variety of quality clothing including sweaters, sweatshirts, golf and tee shirts, turtlenecks, jackets and even soft luggage that can be embroidered with a 4 inch long Challenger logo in 3 colors.

Most popular are the 'Drifter' knit sweaters (navy blue crew or V-neck), and the 'Mesh' golf shirts, (white or navy). You simply have to specify the garment and ask for the Challenger logo # 940552.

You should ensure with white garments that for contrast they make the top portion of the logo platinum (colour # 1085). For other colour garments ensure that they use white (colour # 1081). (The middle blue should be colour # 1096 and the bottom blue should be colour # 1166.) The result will be just as found on the information package jacket.