Welcome to ChallengerWest

ChallengerWest
Flying for the fun of it!

ChallengerWest is focused solely on the sale and support of the Challenger II Advanced Ultralight. For the cost of a decent motorcycle, you can have a Challenger and fly for about $25 an hour - even at today's high fuel prices. This is a far cry from the cost of owning or even renting a general aviation airplane. There is little in the way of even training aircraft available for much less than $100 an hour these days. Last time I filled my 182 up, it was over $500 - for about 5 hours of flying - and that's before any costs for engine allowance, insurance, interest, maintenance. Needless to say, it doesn't get used much these days, but our Challengers do.

We serve Western Canada, and have purchased land and a hanger to establish a full-service Challenger Flight Centre at the Wetaskiwin Airport.

Our holdings are directly across from the CEX3 terminal building. Right now, one of our lots has just an old T-Hanger, but someday soon, there will be a shiny new Challenger Store where you can view completed Challengers in all modes of operation.

For more information on Challenger Advanced Ultralight Aircraft, please contact us directly at:

780-985-4231 or by email at:

C-IJBN at our base at Wetaskiwin C-IJBN at Sunset after some dusk pod hopping.
(Photo by Robb McCaghren)

Additional information can be found at our Canadian Distributor's web site at: National Ultralight Inc.

We look forward to meeting you,
Mike and Tracy Hughes

THE 11 BEST REASONS FOR BUYING A CHALLENGER

1. Unmatched Versatility

This is not simply an airborne taxi to take you from runway A to runway B. The Challenger is equally at home on short grass strips as well as ice, snow and water. Switching between wheels, skis and straight or amphibious floats is easy and won't break the bank.

The Challenger's versatility even extends to soaring! Turn off the engine in flight and experience the joy of circling silently upwards in a thermal to cloud base. Unlike a glider, when you want to head for home, just start the engine and go.

2. Well Proven Design

Continuously refined over 15 years with more than 3,000 airplanes sold and hundreds of thousands of hours of flight, the Challenger is a truly proven design with an enviable safety record.

The light plane industry has produced a number of excellent designs over the years. All of the manufacturers rely on feedback and troubleshooting by the public to refine their designs. By remaining focused on a single design, rather than constantly introducing new models for marketing hype, the Challenger has been refined to a much greater degree of performance and reliability.

Challenger owners don't have to deal with the inevitable glitches that are inherent in totally new or short-lived designs.

3. Spectacular Performance

The Challenger's large wing and low empty weight combine to deliver exceptional payload and STOL performance (short takeoff and landing) on wheels, skis, floats and even amphibs.

The capability to handle a direct crosswind of 20 mph, 30 mph for the clipped wing models, easily equals or betters that of conventional airplanes.

As well, the Challenger has one of the widest speed envelopes of any recreational airplane. The 4 to 1 speed range from 24 to 96 mph, far exceeds the speed range of standard Cessnas and Pipers. This extraordinary envelope gives you the best of both worlds, a high end for cross country trips and a safe and forgiving low speed capability for that magic low and slow ultralight experience.

4. Unrestricted Visibility

Most conventional airplanes obstruct your view. The high, complex instrument panel blocks the view over the nose. Low wings block out the earth below while high wings block out the sky above. In a conventional high wing the pilot flies blind in the turns. The Challenger's tandem seating places the pilot ahead of the wing for magnificent helicopter style visibility in all directions - even in the turns.

5. Factory Built Airframe

The Challenger's airframe is built by the factory to ensure a professionally crafted, airworthy airplane built right without having to rely on your construction skills. It also ensures truly low assembly time for an easy and fun project you will complete with confidence. If you'd prefer to do nothing but fly, experienced builders are available to do it for you.

6. Established Customer Support

The Challenger has a solid, supportive manufacturer with a long track record. A Canada-wide dealer network provides regional sales, service and support. Aftermarket vendors offer a wide variety of Challenger-specific products and services. You can be confident that parts, advice and help are available now and will continue to be in the future.

7. Challenger Owners Association

The International Challenger Owners Association (ICOA), with 800 members worldwide, will put you in touch with other owners. Advice, help and flying friends are as close as the membership directory. Challenger News is full of technical tips and safety items as well as plenty of hangar flying stories. The Canadian Chapter has well over 400 members and holds highly popular fly-ins and other activities.

8. Low Cost To Own And Operate

A brand new, fully equipped Challenger costs about the same as a car, not a house like conventional airplanes. In fact, a Challenger complete with amphibious floats costs far less than the floats alone for a Cessna 185! At around $20 an hour the Challenger is extremely inexpensive to operate and maintenance costs are but a fraction of a general aviation aircraft. The infamous "$100" hamburger only costs about "$20" in a Challenger, but is close to $150 in my Cessna!

9. No Government Red Tape

A Challenger avoids the costs, complications and hassles of owning, maintaining and operating a certified airplane. If you already have a pilot's license, you're ready for takeoff. If you're new to flying, ultralight licensing and medical standards are far more readily attainable and affordable than for conventional airplanes.

10. Use Twelve Months A Year

In the summer, the high power-to-weight ratio and low wing loading make the Challenger a marvelous choice for a floatplane. Aircraft with less than 300 hp are rarely seen operating on amphibious floats, yet the Challenger handles them with aplomb. Whether on land or water, the doors can be removed in a minute or two for an intimacy with the air like an open cockpit biplane.

In the winter when many planes hibernate, the Challenger is in its element. The skis let you land anywhere white - there's no need to search out a cleared runway. There's cabin heat to keep you warm and neither the engine nor reduction drive require preheating. The pusher prop and tricycle gear mean you'll never suffer prop strikes or nose-overs. And with the big wing, light weight and high power you'll never get stuck. Compare the return on investment with seasonal vehicles such as sports cars, watercraft and snowmobiles!

11. You can get training!

There are several sources for Challenger training. Kris Falk's is one such instructor, providing Challenger Training out of Kitimat, B.C. and Wetaskiwin, Alberta. He will also come to you for intensive training in your Challenger.

12. You don't need a power tug to move your Challenger around!

Unlike our 182 Cessna that is quite heavy, and requires a couple of people or a power tug if there is the least bit of snow, one person can easily move a Challenger around.