Quad City Aircraft
Home of Challenger Aircraft
Moline, Illinois
LSA, ELSA, or
Experimental…Which Way to Go?
Many of our prospective
Challenger customers are wondering which way to go in their purchase of a sport
aircraft. It’s a simple decision and we will try to help you decide.
First, you have to
decide if you want to fly for fun, or to fly to get somewhere.
If you want a plane that
will get you somewhere in a hurry, then the best solution is a fast
airplane. You can rent a Cessna, or Piper, or some other certificated
aircraft, or you can buy a fast airplane kit like a Lancair, but then you have
to build it, or buy a used one. You could buy a Cessna , or some such
certificated aircraft new or used. Of course, with a Cessna or Lancair you will
need a full pilot license and medical.
Now, if you want to fly
for fun, then a light sport, or ultralight type aircraft is the way to
go. Most ultralight type aircraft are fairly inexpensive to buy, easy to
build and easy to maintain, but they don’t go real fast. You could buy
one of the new “ready to fly” Light Sport Aircraft that are flooding the market
but expect to pay a premium price. Many of these aircraft are selling for
upward of $75,000.00. You will need a certified mechanic to inspect and
repair these aircraft or pass a repairman’s course to do your own annuals and
repairs. So what do you get? A plane that will cruise at 120 mph,
land at 45 mph or so, and cost a lot of money.
Then one day as your are
cruising around at 5,000 feet you may look down and see a gaggle of Ultralights
flying along on a ‘poker run’ or to a ‘fly-in breakfast’ and think, “Gee, those
guys look like they’re having fun”. You’re right! They are having fun and
the fun lasts a long time. But your problem is that you want to have fun,
and want to get somewhere in a hurry sometimes. Well, the solution is
clear. You need two airplanes. One for fun, and one to get
somewhere in a hurry. Well, that gets real expensive if you have to own
two airplanes.
Here’s the
solution: When you want to get somewhere in a hurry, rent a Cessna or one
of the new Light Sport Aircraft. When you want to fly for fun, fly your
Challenger! You can build one the these planes in 100 to 300 hours.
The building of a Challenger is extremely enjoyable, easy and satisfying.
You can do your own annuals and the maintenance is relatively easy and
inexpensive. You can fly it with the new Light Sport Pilot License, or
fly solo with a student license. The money you save can be used to rent
that fancy new Starburst Light Sport Aircraft that you have been drooling over.
COME ON, JUMP IN AND ENJOY THE CHALLENGER EXPERIENCE. THE COST IS REASONABLE AND THE FUN IS MAXIMUN!!
