We offer training for experienced pilots to transition from other aircraft to Challenger. Many GA pilots have made the mistake of thinking that if they can fly a Cessna Citation or whatever, that they can fly a silly little ultralight. Please do not assume that.

While the Challenger is not a difficult airplane to fly, it is quite a bit different than a standard certificated airplane.  With a Challenger, you will be using your feet a lot. If you have doors on it, and no modifications, you will have to steer with your feet to fly straight. You must be instinctive with the rudder. Also, being a pusher with a high thrust line, adding power causes it to nose down, while less power causes the nose to pitch up. This will be a serious issue if you are on final and you decide to go around. Going from idle to full power quickly could throw you into the runway if you are not prepared for it. With a couple hours in a Challenger you will be ready to go.

I have found most transitioning GA pilots, depending on experience will need 2-3 hours to be proficient with the Challenger, but even one hour should at least keep you from getting killed on your first flight.  Much noise has been made about the rudder of a Challenger, and it's habit of wandering around on the yaw axis, particularly with doors on.  Some people put finlets on the horizontal stabilizer, others put a larger dorsal fin on it, others yet install vortex generators in various locations. These all seem to have a positive affect on the instability on the yaw axis. However with finlets and a larger dorsal fin, you will loose some of the Challengers legendary ability to land in a 30 mph cross wind, and slip sideways to drop like a parachute into a short field.  Everything in aviation is a trade off, this is no different. If you need to do a modification to straighten it up a bit, I would suggest starting with vortex generators on the windshield in front of the doors. This seems to have a good effect without compromising much in performance.  I have found that once you get used to it, it really is no big deal.

If you are a GA pilot interested in Challengers, or just wanting a new experience, please contact me and schedule an introductory ride for $35. Regular instruction, $75 hr. in the air.