The new Challenger Light Sport XL-65 is a high power, high lift aircraft for amphibious floats, heavy loads and high density altitudes. A new design 29.5 ft wing with Hoerner tips, new heavy load saddles, new heavy duty landing gear and new 20 USgal wing tanks along with a power package with 30% more thrust combine to allow a gross weight increase from 960 lbs to 1060 lbs. As an additional benefit the wing tanks also allow for the creation of a baggage compartment in the fuselage behind the passenger seat.

The new Challenger Light Sport X Series was originally designed expressly for diverse Canadian missions in a broad spectrum of terrain and temperatures. Development was driven by over thirty years of real world experience on wheels, skis and floats. The new X Series incorporates numerous features and design enhancements based on customer inputs.

Announced in 2010 the Challenger Light Sport X Series has replaced the Challenger II as the sales leader world wide. Challenger Light Sports are now flying on every continent but Antarctica!

The new Challenger Light Sport XL-65 represents the most dramatic step forward ever taken. The goals were to be easier to build and easier to fly, more ergonomic and more rugged. XL-65’s carry more payload farther and faster. Prices remain at very affordable levels even with engine and instruments.

The most visible of the X Series features is the distinctive new tapered tail which is much larger than on the earlier Challenger II models. The Light Sports also have differential ailerons to reduce adverse yaw. The result is easier, more conventional handling with much less rudder work, especially in turbulence.

The new tail is 10 inches higher and has a vertical stabilizer with 55% more side area which significantly increases directional stability. To further reduce adverse yaw the new aileron bellcranks are modified from the historical 1:1 so that the flaperons function as differential ailerons in the ratio 1.5 up to 1 down.

Importantly the new tail and aileron strike a balance between stability and maneuverability thus retaining the Challenger's renowned crosswind capabilities and side slipping prowess. Also retained is the ease of handling on water and ice with minimal windcocking when taxiing crosswind and docking.