Challenger II
experimental aircraft, Challenger II experimental lightsport aircraft, Challenger II
homebuilt aircraft, Challenger II amateur built aircraft, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine.
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Light Sport Aircraft Pilot is a directory of aircraft that generally fit
into what are described as ultralight aircraft, advanced ultralight
aircraft,
light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, experimental
aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt
aircraft in the United States and Canada. These include
weight shift aircraft, more commonly known as trikes,
powered parachutes, and powered para-gliders.
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Challenger II experimental
aircraft, experimental
lightsport aircraft, amateur built aircraft.
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Manufacturer
Quad City Ultralight Aircraft
3610 Coaltown Rd,
Moline, IL 61265;
(309) 764-3515;
The Quad City Challenger II is one of the industry's oldest
and most trustworthy designs. After all, there are scads of
them out there and we don't hear much from them, probably
because their pilots are flying them too much to mess with
the "real world." |
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The Quad City Challenger II is a high wing,
Dacron-covered, tandem-seater with trigear and doors that
can be left off for summer cruising. Power is pusher-mounted
and consists of a simple Rotax 447 committing 42 hp to the
process, though one can opt for the 52-hp Rotax 503, Rotax
582 or HKS if a little more "oooompphh" is in order.
The 310-lb Challenger II has a gross weight
of 800 lbs, with the standard fuel supply of 5 gal, a max
range of 150 miles, and an endurance of about 2 hours. An
optional 10-gal tank is available if 'd like a bit more
range. The Challenger II has a height of 6', a length of
19', a span of 31', and a 175-sq-ft wing that offers a stall
speed of 15 mph (surprisingly, pretty close to what we saw
in our test flights). Wing loading is 4.5 lbs/ sq ft.
The Challenger 11 cruises 70 mph, climbs 1000 fpm, and
has a top speed of 85 mph. It needs only 200' for takeoff
and landing and boasts a service ceiling of 12,500'. The
cabin is 24" wide and provides 38" of both headroom and
legroom. Payload with full fuel is 460 lbs.
The machine has a pleasant feel to it (fairly light
control pressures in pitch and yaw and slightly higher in
roll) and offers docile handling, somewhat positive static
tendencies in pitch and yaw, slightly-less positive feel in
roll. The visibility is quite good, especially on takeoff
and landing, where the sloped nose reveals all. Slow-speed
flight is very obedient and the machine will fly at a slow
walk. It handles moderately rough fields very well.
The Challenger II was introduced in 1984 and there are
hundreds flying. Options for the Challenger II
include doors, wheel pants, flaperons, brakes and
instruments to name a few. Builder assistance, a newsletter,
and a dealer network are available and in place.
ZOOM REPORT:
Looking at a Challenger is
almost as much fun as flying one. Gorgeous lines are
accented by delightful cross-country manners, easy handling
(has a dominant rudder), and excellent ground behavior (far
better than the norm). It also flies very well without
doors and offers a view that few aircraft can rival?a
winner!
Design/Engineering: C+
Ground Handling: B-Good
Flight Characteristics: B- Docile but responsive
Company Profile: B-Conservative company good customer
support.
Kit/Plans: B-
Bang for the Buck: B
Risk Factor: 3. A well-known company with proven
product.
Final Grade: B- |
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Challenger II
experimental homebuilt lightsport aircraft |
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