Final post

Challenger II – N142JD – Built by David & Jean Herrick

When someone embarks on a journey such as building an airplane, one hopes that the trail is well marked for the journey so that you do not get lost. The Quad City factory has done a fine job building a kit, a fantastic job actually. The components are well made and the factory support is great. However the construction manual that comes with the kit, the “road map” if you will, is a little outdated. Enter the FlyChallenger: Files, an effort worthy of praise. A lifesaver at times for a builder that is hours away from any fellow Challenger builders. Although designed for the LSS, still useful for our purposes.

The second valuable resource has been what I call “Challenger Chat” , actually YAHOO! GROUPS. What a great bunch of fellow builders and fliers! I have listened in on conversations, searched the archives for information, and generally enjoyed the camaraderie.

 I would like to thank my dealer Mike Watson from China,Maine for talking things over with me at any time of day, whatever else he has going on at the time. His wisdom has been a lifesaver and his encouragement has been pivotal in bringing this project to completion.

My wife, my patient long-suffering wife, has been my rock in this first time builder’s endeavor.   She willingly(?) gave up her family room, her extra spending money, her husband’s time, her garage space and even her favorite iron to the airplane. Her help, her joy at small steps in the process of building, her unfailing support has been the key to the success of the project. Thank you my love.

While there is still a FAA airworthiness inspection, taxi tests, then first flight to go, I feel that the construction phase is done. Thus ends the “construction log”, this blog.

                      It has been fun!

Link to “Challenger Chat”: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlyChallenger/    

Link to FlyChallenger: FIles: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlyChallenger/files/