ChallengerWest
Challenger Advanced Ultralight Sales and Service
Calmar, Alberta
Phone: 780-985-4231  Fax: 780-985-2198

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447 Classic
503 Deluxe
582 Premium
Kit by Section
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Floats

Financing is now available for completed kits (self-built or custom built).

 

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Canadian Challenger Packaging & Pricing

In Canada the Challenger is 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 over 20 years of operating Challengers here on wheels, skis and floats, on and off airport.

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  These sites are invariably out of date plus they include only the bare bones tail, wings and fuselage - no engine, prop, cabin, streamlining, instruments, ...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.

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 in western Canada.

Challenger II 447 Classic Package

Priced Around Cdn. $20,000*

Please contact us
for a quote.

The Challenger II 447 Classic package offers the vintage look and feel of the eighties at a very affordable price. It is an extremely light airplane with minimum options, accessories and upgrades, along the lines of some of our competitors whose designs never evolved!

This configuration takes off short and climbs great but is significantly slower cruising than our other more fully featured packages. It's a great choice for the budget conscious flyer looking for fun in the sun and not interested in going anywhere, at least not quickly.

 

Challenger II 503 Deluxe Package

Priced Around Cdn. $25,000*

Please contact us
for a quote.


Our most popular configuration is the Challenger II 503 Deluxe package which bundles the Rotax 503 engine with the Challenger two-seat airframe and includes all sorts of options, accessories and upgrades. The 503 has 25% more power than the 447 and, importantly, also has dual ignition.

This airframe and engine combination is considered by many to be the best value - the balance of money vs. capability - and will provide very good performance for most people in most parts of Canada, even on floats.

 

Challenger II 582 Premium Package

Priced Around Cdn. $30,000*

Please contact us
for a quote.

The Challenger II 582 Premium 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.

Which package to choose?

How do you choose between the Challenger II 447 Classic, the Challenger II 503 Deluxe and the Challenger II 582 Premium 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!

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

Light Aircraft Financial Services Ltd. Please call for details.

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The Challenger - Canada's Favourite Advanced Ultralight!