Comments:
The Astro Flight Challenger is the ancestor of electric competition gliders. It is the first glider specifically designed for the Astro Flight 05G motor. Its creator is Mr. Bob Boucher, the father of the famous lineage of Astro Flight electric motor. The Challenger kit is no longer available. It is necessary therefore to scratch build it from plans. By using miniature electronic equipment and building light, one obtains a model weighting approximately 36-38 ounces. The covered airframe I built weighted only 12,5 ounces! Despite its all balsa construction and its conventional appearance, the Challenger offers exceptional flight performances. The climbing is excellent, in the order 1000 to 1200 feet/minute. Mine climbs easily by using only about 75% of the power. With the engine off, the rate of descent is extremely low. Flights last at least 20 minutes without thermaling. This plane is a pleasure to pilot. Nevertheless this is not a model for the beginner because of its great sensitivity to stick input. Despite the absence of ailerons, several acrobatic maneuvers are possible, including inverted flying. The wing having no double dihedral, practice is necessary to do nice turns. The best electrical equipment combination for this plane is: micro servos, a speed regulator a BEC type switch, 05G 7 turns motor and a 11 inches folding propeller. The power/weight ratio of my Challenger is 75Watt/pound. It is the double of most electric balsa gliders. For competition, a 05G FAI 5 turns and a 13 inches propeller allow to climb vertically out view in 30-45 seconds.
The Challenger is a plane that, even now, could be competitive. According to current standards this plane falls in the intermediate category. If you are looking for a second electric glider that has good performance and not costly, the Challenger is probably the ideal model.
Daniel Vézina
97-09-28
My Challenger sports the same wing covering as Daniel's but I covered the fuselage black. I had to reduce the rudder throw. Mine is powered by a Master Airscrew 3:1 motor and a 6 cells 1400mah and it fies very well. It performs adequately at 38 ounces.
Louis Cimon
97-09-29
