Today's Message Index:
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1. 02:36 PM - Help narrow down a decision (Mark McLaughlin)
2. 03:35 PM - Re: Help narrow down a decision (John Anderson)
3. 08:11 PM - Re: Help narrow down a decision (Steve Bensinger)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Help narrow down a decision |
Seal-Send-Time: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 16:36:20 -0600
--> Ultralight-List message posted by: "Mark McLaughlin" <mclaughlinhome@msn.com>
I'm looking for some opinions on aircraft models. I'm trying to decide between
a Ran's S-18 and a Challenger II. I love the open-air of the S-18, but the Challenger
II seems to allow for more options (like floats, doors, etc.). I think
both companies have good repts, but I'd like to know what the owner/pilots
think about their aircraft. Also, another possible one is the Talon XP. To be
honest, I have not flown any of these, but I plan to make some factory visits
someday. Thanks; Mark
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: Help narrow down a decision |
--> Ultralight-List message posted by: "John Anderson" <janderson3@nc.rr.com>
Depends on what you want - I am an ultralight pilot not GA but I have flown
s18 and challenger II. S18 fly's a lot like a GA aircraft. The open air
feel is GREAT for summer but limits winter flying. I would think it would
be a good platform for floats.
The Challenger has a lot of adverse yaw, well known fact and not at all
dangerous, it just takes a little getting used to. The big down side is the
size of the cockpit, as I recall the front is quite tight, I am 6' and
200lbs.
Both of these are two seat aircraft and are going to require a pilots
license.
You have the best plan going, do some factory visits and fly the aircraft.
If you do not currently fly go get some lessons, preferably in the airplanes
that you are considering.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark McLaughlin" <mclaughlinhome@msn.com>
Subject: Ultralight-List: Help narrow down a decision
> --> Ultralight-List message posted by: "Mark McLaughlin"
<mclaughlinhome@msn.com>
>
> I'm looking for some opinions on aircraft models. I'm trying to decide
between a Ran's S-18 and a Challenger II. I love the open-air of the S-18,
but the Challenger II seems to allow for more options (like floats, doors,
etc.). I think both companies have good repts, but I'd like to know what
the owner/pilots think about their aircraft. Also, another possible one is
the Talon XP. To be honest, I have not flown any of these, but I plan to
make some factory visits someday. Thanks; Mark
>
>
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: Help narrow down a decision |
--> Ultralight-List message posted by: Steve Bensinger <ulav8r@tampabay.rr.com>
On Friday, January 30, 2004, at 05:36 PM, Mark McLaughlin wrote:
> I'm looking for some opinions on aircraft models. I'm trying to decide
> between a Ran's S-18 and a Challenger II. I love the open-air of the
> S-18, but the Challenger II seems to allow for more options (like
> floats, doors, etc.). I think both companies have good repts, but I'd
> like to know what the owner/pilots think about their aircraft.
Hi Mark,
Those are fine planes. Since they're the types you like, do yourself a
favor and take a look at the CGS Hawks. They can be flown without doors
for that open air feeling, with doors in cold weather, and allow the
same options as the Challenger, while being much roomier inside and
allowing more choice of engines.
I like them so much I've got two: a Hawk II Arrow, and a single seat
Hawk Sport - a new model originally developed for competition. My
two-seater has the 34 foot wing and is a heavy lifter, but if I were to
do it again I'd go with the standard 31 foot wing. It's covered with
stits instead of dacron which makes it pretty and slicker, but adds
weight. It's got a Rotax 582 and a 3 blade 68" Warp Drive prop on it,
which is plenty of power. It'll climb at 900fpm with two on board,
1200fpm solo, stall at 42mph with 2 notches of flaps, cruise at 70mph
at 5400rpm and 3 gallons per hour, and putter around with an economy
cruise of 50mph at 4600rpm and 2 gallons per hour. Control harmony is
very nice. It handles just the way a small plane should, though with
the 34 foot wing, the roll rate is kind of slow. The 31 foot wing is a
lot lighter on the ailerons.
The single seat Hawk Sport is the most fun I've had since I built a
single seat RANS S-4 Coyote. It's a very light plane with an amazing
speed range. Stall is around 30mph, top end is near 90. I've got a
Rotax 447 on it with a two-blade 66" IvoProp. It's off the ground in
about 120 feet, climbs at about 1100fpm. Controls are very light and
well coordinated. It's a blast to throw around or just putter around at
45mph at around 1 gallon per hour. In turbulent weather I'd rather fly
it than the two seater - even though it's lighter, it's so responsive
that you can correct for bumps so fast that you hardly notice them. The
only thing I don't like is the vibration from the two-blade prop. I
plan to replace that with a three blade as soon as I can afford it,
even if it hurts performance a little.
Sorry this went so long. I hope it doesn't sound like a commercial. I
don't work for the company, though if I could, I'd be a dealer for
them. It's amazing to me that even though the Hawk has been around
since 1982, so many people don't know about them.
The CGS web site is <http://www.cgsaviation.com>. Also see my links
below.
Good luck in your search!
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
Steve Bensinger
Mulberry (Lakeland), FL
Hawk Sport (First Flight 7/23/03) -
http://homepage.mac.com/sbensinger/PhotoAlbum12.html
Hawk II Arrow (First Flight 2/15/03) -
http://homepage.mac.com/sbensinger/hawk
US Microlight Team web site: http://usmicrolightteam.org
Aventura II for sale - http://fly.to/aventura
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