L i g h t P l a n e Wor l d
is plentiful. Assembly time is 300 hours, and most of
the components are already built. The Challenger XS50 and XL-65 are outgrowths of the Challenger LSS,
designed for the United Kingdom and overseas market.
It features a new tail and rudder and has differential
ailerons. The XS-50 is a short-wing (26-foot) version
with a top speed of 95 mph. The XS-65 is a mid-sized,
29.5-foot wing for floats, heavy loads, and high altitudes. Replacing the 17-gallon main fuel tank with 20
gallons in wing tanks opens up the area behind the
seat for baggage and raises the gross weight to 1,060
pounds. The empty weight of 475 pounds allows for a
payload of 585 pounds.
Te pre-owned LSA market is also
very lively, with amazing deals being
completed that never make it to the
public sale arena.
This look at a few low-cost, light-sport aircraft doesn't
even cover weight-shift trike and powered parachute
S-LSA, where costs are significantly lower across
the entire spectrum! How about a U.S.-manufactured
Northwing Scout XC trike with 80-hp Rotax full fairings
and a topless, strut-braced wing starting at $49,000?
Precision Windsports offers S-LSA trikes from
Te amateur-built Challenger provides low-cost sport fying fun.
40
Vol.2 No.4 / April 2013
Airborne Australia in the range of $38,000 with a Rotax
582 engine to $55,000 with a Rotax 912, not including
shipping. Powered parachute fans should check out
the Predator and Powrachute for details and even
lower prices.
Browse the ads at Barnstormers.com to see prices for
lightly used LSA that are much lower than you might
expect. The S-LSA of today are going to be around for decades, but there is one important difference compared to
standard category aircraft. Most, if not all, will eventually
end up as experimental LSA (E-LSA) when they are no
longer used for commercial purposes or when the owner
wants to change the engine, wheels, or prop to something not approved by the original manufacturer. This new
source of experimental aircraft for sport use is the hidden
gem inside the world of LSA.
ยป Please send your comments and suggestions to
dgrunloh@illicom.net.
Dan Grunloh, EAA 173888, is a retired scientist
who began flying ultralights and light planes in
1982. He won the 2002 and 2004 U.S. National
Microlight Championships in a trike and flew with
the U.S. World Team in two FAI World Microlight
Championships.