Challenger II Classics

Most banks will finance a completed Challenger.

Canadian Challenger II Classics

The Classic Challenger II offers excellent performance and is the standard model seen in Canada until the recent introduction of the Light Sport Special models in 2010. Canadian Challenger Classics are sold in complete quick-build packages configured for our climate and conditions.

Everything from the enclosed cabin to the engine to the landing gear is especially chosen based on nearly 30 years of operating Challengers here on wheels, skis and floats, on and off airport. You can build your Challenger yourself, or we can arrange to have it built for you by any of a number of professional challenger builders.

All of the Challengers shown are current models, and all offer excellent price performance.

You can select the pictures or title bars of the airplanes shown below and our website will route you to that model line of Challenger. Or you can use the quick select buttons at left to get to the same places faster.

Challenger II 582 Classic Package

"Click the Pic" for more details!

Cdn. $32,000*

Please contact us
for a quote.

The Challenger II 582 Classic package bundles the powerful Rotax 582 engine with the Challenger two-seat airframe and includes all our options, accessories and upgrades. The 582 boosts horsepower 30% and torque 37.5% over the 503. This translates into takeoffs 1/3 to 1/2 shorter and climbs 50-100% faster!

This airframe and engine combination is aimed at folks who operate on floats at higher elevations or higher weights and who therefore require the extra takeoff and climb thrust. Amazingly, on a typical mission the more efficient 582 does all this on less fuel than the 503! This Premium package will also be the preference of those who have higher budget resources and simply want to enjoy the stunning performance of the 582. It really is a Wow!

Canadian Kit-by-Section-Program

For many people the purchase of their own airplane is the fulfillment of a life long dream. Some are in a position to simply make the purchase immediately and proceed. Others cannot move right away because of finances so they are forced to wait and save towards the realization of this dream.

It takes a lot of financial discipline to keep focused on saving to turn an airplane into reality. The problem for many who try is that before sufficient funds are put aside to purchase the entire airplane, life intervenes and other expenses chip away at the savings. In the end the dream never happens.

Our "kit by section" program allows those on a budget to purchase a series of sub-kits - tail, wings, fuselage, engine - as they have the financial resources and the time available for assembly. Each sub-kit includes all the necessary supplies and hardware. An important benefit of this approach is that it facilitates that all important first step, without which you never get airborne!

The key to making things happen is to start the project, even if it is only a tail sub-kit. By taking that first step you are making the commitment to yourself to achieve the dream of owning your own airplane, as only after it is started will it ever be finished. You will proceed at your own pace and as finances allow, but with the commitment having been made, your dream WILL become reality.

Notes about Pricing

* Super Loonie Discount - Varies with Exchange rate. Call for details.

Here is how exchange rates impact Challenger prices in Canada: About half our cost base is the airframe which comes from the US so prices in Canada can be impacted by the differences in the Canadian versus U.S. Dollar. About a quarter is the engine which comes from Austria. The remaining quarter of our cost base consists of Canadian operating expenses - salaries, offices, hangars, fuel, phones, web, marketing, professional fees, taxes, etc. These are in Canadian Dollars so they are not influenced by exchange rates.

Our Canadian Challenger packages contain pretty much everything you need to go flying: airframe, fabric, engine, prop, instruments, ... plus many comfort, performance and durability features.

Be very wary if you see Challengers advertised at unusually low prices! These sites are invariably out of date plus they include only the bare bones tail, wings and fuselage - no engine, prop, cabin, streamlining, instruments, ... nothing, not even shoulder straps.

People who buy from us have access to our priceless world leading expertise. Our support capability is based on over 20 years of flying Challengers in Canada twelve months a year on wheels, skis and floats. Plus we completely understand the Canadian tax and regulatory environment - no mean feat!

The Challenger is not by any means an unreachable dream. Where purchasing a general aviation aircraft can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, akin to buying a second home, a well equipped Challenger costs no more than an everyday car. This is a purchase reasonably attainable by most Canadians.

Which package to choose?

How do you choose between the Challenger II 447 Classic, the Challenger II 503 Deluxe, the Challenger II 582 Premium, or the new LSS packages? It's a matter of balancing your budget with your requirements. If you're not planning to go far, or fast, then the Challenger II 447 Classic could be just the trick for local fun flights and the price really can't be beat. For two 170 lb people - pilot and passenger - taking off from elevations near sea level with a standard size tank full of fuel the Challenger II 503 has great performance on wheels and skis and plenty of performance to handle amphibious floats. As stated above, for absolutely stunning performance in all conditions go with the 582 Premium.

The new LSS models add a wealth of features and options as standard equipment and are sure to be popular.

Compared to the Competition?

We're confident the Challenger is the best value and most proven Advanced Ultralight on the market. Most other manufacturers publish prices which exclude the engine, and they don't show the 40-70% premium charged for quick-build versions, if available, so compare carefully.

Other, seemingly similar, airplanes require engines one or even two sizes greater to provide the same takeoff, climb and cruise performance as the Challenger! We benefit from our huge wing, light weight and sleek shape!

For example most other kit planes need at least a Rotax 912 to perform well on floats - the 912 engine alone costs around CDN $20,000 and is twice the weight of a 503 or 582! Then there's the costlier prop, heavier engine mount, etc, etc.

In Canada the Challenger is by far the most popular recreational aircraft and actually outsells the nearest competitor by 10 to 1!

Canadian Documentation and Support

Documentation includes the factory manuals and an 8-hour video on assembly. The Canadian Challenger owners manual gives our hints and tips based on over 20 years of owning and operating Challengers four seasons a year. It has ten chapters on everything from building to flying to maintaining the airplane.

You also gain access to our internet-based Canadian Support Section. Phone support is unlimited and is free for as long as you own your Challenger.

Professional Assembly

You can have your Challenger assembled, covered and painted by an experienced builder. Prices vary based on exactly how you want your Challenger completed, local market conditions, and the time each builder likes to take to do the job. It is impossible to generalize, but build projects by qualified builders range from Cdn. $8,500 to $15,000 (or more) depending on the number of accessories being added to the basic kit (such as additional instruments, heaters, floats, engine configuration, etc), complexity of paint jobs, proximity of builder and owner, availability of construction facilities, etc. If you are interested in this route, please contact us and we will provide you with more information.

Any Challenger built in Canada must be inspected by a factory authorized representative in order to obtain the documents necessary to register the aircraft as an advanced Ultralight. This is a good thing for folks building their own planes, or having them built, as a consistent standard of construction is enforced by the inspection process.

Puddlejumper Amphibious Floats

The most popular floats used on Challengers are made in Canada. You can order your fibreglass Puddlejumper amphibious floats directly from us starting at Cdn. $5,900. Click the diagram for additional info.

Skis, Tanks and Aftermarket Accessories

Ski prices start around Cdn. $900. Straight skis, fixed penetration wheel/skis and retractable wheel/skis are available. Aftermarket companies offer a wide variety of accessories made specifically for Challengers: long range fuel tanks, cargo bags and pods, wing and fuselage covers, custom upholstery, ... The list is long - a benefit of way over 3,000 Challengers worldwide!

ChallengerWest is a dealer for many accessories and these can be found on our Accessories page.

Aircraft Financing

Most Banks will finance a completed Challenger.