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There are literally thousands of aircraft owners and
builders vying to win awards for their aircraft and workmanship at Sun N
Fun. Most of the winning aircraft, are stored away safely in their
hangar, brought out only when the owner wants to showcase his pride and
joy at and event such as Sun N Fun. Dennis
Carley of U Fly It Light Sport Aircraft from Deland Florida had a
display at the show, in it he featured a two place Challenger on Puddle
Jumper amphib floats. When I first looked at the plane I picked it to be
a show winner!
The workmanship on the plane was flawless, and the
paint scheme outstanding. When I finally pride Dennis away from his
customers I was surprised to learn that the plane was NOT new, as I had
first assumed. But in fact was a four year old plane that he had built
and used in a training environment for a number of years!
Dennis had sold the plane to Tom Flesher of Longwood,
Florida who had graciously allowed it to be displayed and judged at his
booth, where it was awarded
Grand Champion Lightplane (Light Sport Aircraft) at Sun-N-Fun, 2007.
The craft is
powered by a Rotax 503, dual ignition, dual carb, 50 HP engine with a 3
blade Warp Drive propeller. It is equipped with 14' Puddle Jumper colour
matched amphibious floats. Other accessories include a Grand Rapids
Technologies EIS, a BRS VLS parachute and U Fly It Streamline
Cargo pods.
These 1,000 cubic inch streamlined latched cargo pods
which weigh in at just over 2 lbs. can be mounted on just about any
ultralight or light sport aircraft with the universal mounting hardware
supplied. The pods are available in various colour schemes, or ready to
paint.
Overall dimensions are 28" long, 11" diameter.
Hatch opening is 5-3/4" at the front, tapering to 5-1/4" at the rear,
and 9" long. |
