Join me as I rebuild and upgrade a Challenger 2, and learn to fly. Yes, I got the airplane before I go my pilots license. I consider it motivation to finally realize a life long dream of flying. Adventures await in 2024, as this is the year I take flight as a licensed pilot, in my airplane, and start to explore. Fishing trips, camping in remote areas, and just exploring the wild north country of Canada are all in store. As I live out my dream. I will take all of you along with me, and I hope I do a good enough job in presenting to you, what that dream looks like. Cheers from Winnipeg.
Have you done your Rec written exam yet? I'm staring down the barrel of mine and don't know what areas to focus on that would be on PPL but not Rec. Flight Computer? Nav?? Wx?
I wrote the exam, but I wrote the full PPL exam, as I intend to continue with the training after I get my RPP. So I wouldn't be able to help you there.
I always look forward to these videos, because I learn so many details that need to be done. I’m hoping to do something similar, and I truly appreciate the information 👍
I purchased this airplane with floats on. The previous owner did have a home made lift that supported the airplane in order to change to wheels. I don't plan on ever taking the floats off the Challenger 2 however. I do have another airplane that I purchased, that has never been built or registered, and I will be building from the ground up. That one will be on wheels. It's an Excalibur, which is the competitor to the Challenger 2.
personally, I would have countersunk those bolts or just riveted that bracket.. Those eye bolts seem really big and long. I also would have made some kind of tensioner pulley system that always keeps the cable taut. U need wireless mics. U got way too much static when using just your gopro mic or whatever camera you are using.
Tiny tach crap. They couldn’t have put a door to replace battery. Oh yes planned obsolescence I get it. I will never buy another one of these stupid tachs
It is very close. Just waiting for my check ride with the examiner to be booked, and once that is done, I will be doing taxi tests, then first flight. Naturally I will share those epic moments.
I'm in the same boat... I own my Challenger, but trying to finish up my RPP, Eastern Ontario. My project is trying to build a hangar. The thought of "next year" actually makes it hard for me to stay positive. Impatient.
I'm on the home stretch with my license now. Just need to get the check ride done, and wait for the paperwork from TC. Then I will be flying this rebuild bird!
I thought that these aircraft have been around for quite awhile, both on amphibian floats and wheels. Why does it appear that you need to invent methods that I thought already existed? Thanks. And have you obtained your PPL?
They have been around for a few decades. What I am doing with the landing gear is something that hasn't been done before, to the best of my knowledge. As for my PPL, my check ride is coming up soon, as soon as I get that done, and I get the paperwork in my hand, I will be flying this rebuilt bird.
How much longer till the maiden flight? How's your flight training going? ready to see this badboy fly. I've had nothing but issues with that same rivet gun. Do you have an estimated weight yet of what you think it will weigh once done?
My check ride is coming up, it's what I've been focused on. This bird will fly the day the paperwork is in my hand. I will post a video with a countdown to that day as soon as I have firm details. As for the weight, I will be putting it on scales in the next 2 weeks and do a final weight and balance.
Thankyou Very informative - just got myself a hangar queen without a motor and many fixes upgrades needed. In sunny South Africa so will do most of the stuff myself, but good information.
I'm building an emeraude with an O-320. I'm currently doing the wiring and I've been trying to decide where to mount everything. I've resisted poking holes in my firewall until I was absolutely positive that's where I wanted things.
You can buy sealant that is used in construction we call "fire stop". It's a very high heat sealant that resists burning. I would recommend you seal all the holes when you are done with it. If you ever do have a fire in the engine bay, it will help give you the time you need to land.
Hello from Mt. Horeb WI(troll capital of the world?). I’ve been watching ALL of your videos for a long time and finally decided to subscribe(I’m a bit of an introvert). I’m in the process of building a single seat Challenger ultralight from a kit. I’m nearing the two year mark since I began this adventure and have been extremely fortunate to be working under the guidance of Greg Klemp(Mr. Challenger). He has a wealth of knowledge(and patience with me !) which is priceless since this is my first foray into building. Your successes(and a few false starts) have been invaluable. Perhaps you’ll attend AirVenture this month and our paths will cross. Thank You
The cameras I use do not have external mic capability. Maybe when I reach 1000 subs, I'll look at a new camera that has better audio capabilities. Not now though, because I need all my cash for my airplane and flying lessons.
Have a "Canada Dry" church key in the kitchen drawer. Not parting with it. It would be rather a perfect choice for your beast. You just might want to get one. Game 7 was ... what does the tropics know about hockey?
I know I have a few church keys, in boxes I haven't opened in years. Going to have to start opening them and looking for a suitable one for my water rudder.
So what kind of damage does the 'death rattle' cause? All my motorcycle 2 strokes had that stumble at idle but it was never a problem. I idle my 582 over 2k just because I don’t like the torque reversals on the redrive.
It is hard on the engine, and can cause damage to the crank, connecting rods and even the engine case. It occurs because of a phenomenon called “four stroking”. At low speeds the engine does not have enough inertia to overcome the compression of next pistons compression stroke PLUS there is a late returning pressure wave in the exhaust. The intake timing and exhaust timing are all messed up. Therefore the engine slows down and the cylinder fires before there is adequate fuel transferred to that cylinder. It does not occur in four strokes because there are valves that control fuel/alr and exhaust. The only thing that fixes the death rattle is rpm. That’s why Rotax does not want you to idle the engine below 2000 rpm.
You mentioned several times that your challenger is experimental bit it has an ultralight registration. I have to guess that it is a basic challenger and not an advanced challenger as you could not make all those modification without the written agreement of the manufacturer which is not really in business anymore. Very interesting to follow what you do
It's an advanced ultralight, and all ultralight aircraft in Canada are considered "experimental", and not "certified". As for the modifications, in order to keep the "advanced" rating, I can not alter the airframe, wings, control surfaces or the engine. The rest is fair game, as long as it doesn't alter those items. I spent a lot of time researching and asking before I made any alterations. If I wanted to upgrade the engine to one that was not approved by the manufacturer, I would lose the advanced rating, and revert to basic. As for the manufacturer being out of business, that is false. They are very much in business at this time.
I look forward to it flying as well. As for the weight, I will be putting it on the scales as soon as I get the nose cone and windshield back on. That will happen once the landing gear work is done.
Just a thought for your retracts: blue light and green are closer in perception than green and red or white. No other retractable aircraft use blue for up, they usually use red or orange. If I can make a suggestion, I would have one light only for up. That makes it very distinct from three green for down and locked, and you are not just relying on colours. Does that make sense?
Good points, however, the tri-color LED's come in a limited set of colors. The green and blue on the ones I got, are very distinct and can not be confused with the other. The red of course is obvious. Interestingly, the LED's I got, are great for creating a massive jumbo TV screen, as the Red/Green/Blue can make almost all other colors.
The passengers feet never reach the bottom of the fuselage, where the control cables, push rods and now the linear actuator reside. They ride up onto the rear passengers rudder pedals. As for a Lavalier mic, the cameras I have do not support an external mic. At some time in the future, I will be upgrading the cameras. When I do, an external mic capability will be a requirement. Cheers.
Yes, Canada still has at least one more day to keep their well oiled sticks on the Ice. Good luck knocking off the Panthers. Just because Canada ought to be in the finals. Since you are building the three greens, you might want to think about a flashing red to indicate in transit in addition to solid red for up and locked. Just a crazy HAM brained thought.
The "three green" I just finished designing, will incorporate 3 green for landing gear down and locked, 3 blue for landing gear up and locked, and 3 red for landing gear unlocked. (I'm using tri-colour leds) The linear actuator will only operate when the landing gear is unlocked, preventing it from causing damage by running in the locked position.
I was wondering how many amps the gear might pull if you took it onto the grass, and cycled the gear? I’m just curious if it has enough power to lift the plane? It’s probably a dumb idea, but I like to stress test things.
The gear is powered up, lowering the gear is done with gravity, as designed by the manufacturer of the floats. Which is good, because it will allow me to install an emergency release, that will drop the gear in the event the electric system fails.
You sure are adding alot more weight. On that note, for the hundredths thousandths time. GET YOU LAVALIERS MICS!!!!! lol, seriously There not expensive...and of course, it's cool what you do. How's the weight loss coming by the way? I am on ozempic. working good so far
Not really a "lot more weight". I pulled a lot off when I first started working on it. By my calculations, I've added a total of 9.2 pounds, including this new addition. Considering I will be flying solo 99% of the time, into camping and fishing trips. I'm not worried at all. As for a mic, I am looking at them. But this video was recorded on a cell phone, and that really sucks on so many levels.
I am really enjoying this site. I already have my licence but have not flown for some time. I am also looking at buying a Challenger 2 with Floats so I can also enjoy the lakes to the north and east of Winnipeg. Good work Peter, keep it going...
@@challenger2ultralightadventure Peter, I was actually at Lyncrest Airpark yesterday looking at hanger space options. I visited the coffee shop and had a few good moments with the people there. How is your private licence coming along?
As i was cleaning my airplane i noticed the radio antenna on top had popped out of the grommet. How is the antenna actually held secure into the grommet. Just asking because its a bitch to get to from inside.
The grommet is a two piece unit. The top fits into the hole drilled to 1/2 inch. the bottom is larger and sandwiches the two grommets. It is all held secure by a nut and washer that is threaded at the bottom of the antenna. A second nut and washer connects the center lead of the coax to the antenna. The braid of the coax should be securely attached to the ground plane under the antenna. I used tin foil as my ground plane. I show this in detail in this video.
OK thx for the reply. Sounds like I'll have to gain access to the bottom of the grommet from inside. It's an rv 6a and the antenna is mounted top of fuselage. Should the grommet be replaced if it no longer holding the antenna secure?
Just curious if you could have assembled the piston to the rod first and insert into the head on the block and then attach the end caps? Like most car engines are done.
Hey, why the super low res? Jets have their golf clubs on the grass. Canucks and Oilers have their sticks on the ice. Do I hear game seven? Is the curse of the President's Trophy real?
I've actually been considering putting a linear actuator in to raise and lower the gear. Still working on the layout. I may do that modification next winter. For now, I want to fly this summer.
