960 gross

The empty weight of the currently produced Challenger aircraft, which now use Rotax 447, 503 or 582 engines, is in excess of the normally referred to statistics commonly seen on the internet (300 lbs empty weight for a 2 seat model is simply never going to happen). Our experience has shown us, for example, that a 2 seat long wing, with 503, 3 blade prop, full instrumentation, strobes, etc., will weigh between 400-430 pounds empty. At the current factory approved maximum gross weight (as detailed below) this leaves a maximum normal useful load (people and fuel) of 530-560 lbs. As you can see, this makes the Challenger one of best planes available in the category of Useful Load.

As indicated below, the factory raised the gross on the long wing to 960 lbs for the Challenger II mainly to accommodate floats but there are some other considerations that let them do this. The float Challenger is limited in speed by the drag of the floats and the VNE will be reduced to 85 mph and maneuvering speed (yellow arc) to 65 mph. Saying that a long wing without floats is good at 960 lbs is not exactly correct unless you placard your instrument panel with a red line of 85 mph and the yellow arc starting at 65 mph. At 960 lbs and 100 mph you will surely rip the wings off with sudden application of full up or down elevator.

On November 15, 2005, Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Corp increased the manufacturer specified gross weight for Challenger II aircraft to 960 lbs.

This increase is applicable to all Challenger II long wing aircraft kits manufactured after mid 1990, when changes to the long wing structure were implemented, as well as to all Challenger II Special clip wing aircraft.

The applicable Challengers at 960 lbs gross weight meet or exceed the ultimate load factors of +6G and -3G.

Here is how to determine if the increased 960 lb gross weight is applicable to a particular Challenger:

1. All Challenger II Special clip wing aircraft may operate at 960 lbs with +6G and -3G ultimate load factors.

2. All Challenger II long wing aircraft with the last four digits of the serial number greater than 0602 may operate at 960 lbs with +6G and -3G ultimate load factors.

3. Challenger II long wing aircraft with serial numbers between 0500 and 0602 (inclusive) must be physically checked to determine which version wing structure they have. This inspection is performed by feeling the bottom of the wing to locate the compression struts and measuring the distance between them. If the spacing is 3 ft then the aircraft may be operated at 960 lbs gross weight. If the spacing is 4 ft then the aircraft is restricted to 800 lbs in order to meet the +6G and -3G ultimate load factor.

4. Challenger II long wing aircraft with the last four digits of the serial number less than 0500 are restricted to 800 lbs in order to meet the +6G and -3G ultimate load factor.

Challenger II long wing aircraft restricted to 800 lbs may increase their gross weight to 960 lbs by installing new generation wings. Modifying the previous generation wings is not permissible.