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Challenger Winter Rendezvous Posters

Future Challenger EventsPast Challenger Events

2020 - 2022 EVENTS POSTPONED TO 2023 DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Montebello 2020 Jan. 24-26 = 2nd Winter Fly-in Organized by COPA flymontebello.com

Montebello 2019 - COPA to Organize Winter Fly-ins - Jan. 25-27, 2019

28th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous - Jan. 26-28, 2018 - Chateau Montebello

International Owners Association | Canadian Owners Association | Award Winners

Trumpeter Swan Migration Project

For the very latest in videos browse our Challenger Canada YouTube Channel
http://www.challenger.ca/cinema.html

For the very latest in photographs browse our Challenger Canada Photo Albums
http://www.flickr.com/photos/challengercanada/sets/

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Challenger owners exhibit an infectious enthusiasm for their aircraft. With some 4,000 worldwide, that's a lot of enthusiasm! They are an interesting bunch from all walks of life, with flying backgrounds ranging from rank beginners who did their initial training in their Challenger to professional airline and military pilots with thousands of hours logged. In this section you'll meet some owners, see how they use their planes, and learn about their association and its events.

Bryan Quickmire wrote: "A benefit of being part of the Challenger community is that we meet lots of interesting people. Anyone who sees the point of flying in a Challenger is something of a kindred spirit and someone to be enjoyed."

"Some of these interesting people are not just interesting they are inspirational as well. This spring Alison and I were on the West Coast and traveled to Sooke on Vancouver Island to visit Andreas and Michele Ruttkiewicz." Click here to read the account of the visit and click here for an update to the story.

A picture is worth a thousand words so a video is worth a million! Click to the Challenger Cinema to see Challengers in the air and on land, water and snow!

There's also the Challenger Gallery with high-resolution images to download for desktop wallpaper and screensavers or to print and stick on your fridge!

And if that still isn't enough, head for our Hot Shots section for still more pics!

For the latest in photographs browse our Challenger Canada Photo Albums
http://www.flickr.com/photos/challengercanada/sets/

Click Seven League Boots for a sample of Challenger flights over 1,000 miles!

For a peek at even more owners and airplanes, leaf through our Family Album.
If you're getting a new Challenger, this is great for ideas on paint schemes!
(The Main Chapter has an index to go direct to specific pages or enlargements!)

The album has tons of
photos organized into
chapters on special events
and topics, plus a huge
catch-all of pics from round
the world since 1983.

What does a 250 lb. 6'5"
Challenger owner paint on
the bottom of his fuselage?
Anything he wants!
Click on the picture to see
what Bruce Craig painted!

In the summer of 1990 two owners, Jim George and Clint Hooper, founded the
International Challenger Owners Association. Their newsletter Challenger News was eagerly received each quarter. The ICOA grew to over 800 members globally before the print medium was superseded by the internet. Now there is an extensive suite of internet-based resources for Challenger owners, with web sites, social media and an email group with some 4,000 members!

The Canadian Chapter of the ICOA, is under the able leadership of Major (Ret.) Claude Roy of the Royal Canadian Air Force. This chapter is the most active worldwide. Major fly-in/drive-in events are held each year - the Challenger Winter Rendezvous, between Ottawa and Montreal, and in the summer the Challenger Canada Open House north of Toronto. As well, birds-of-a-feather flockings happen all across Canada.

The annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous is the venue for presentation of the Maurice Vinet Memorial Award and the Dave Allan Memorial Award.

The Maurice Vinet Memorial Award was founded in 2001 to honour the late Maurice Vinet who passed away from cancer in 2000. Maurice's company Puddlejumper Floats opened up new realms of pleasure for Challenger owners worldwide and is now run by his son Patrick Vinet. The Vinet Award is presented to a Challenger pilot who exemplifies Maurice's passion for flight.

The Dave Allan Memorial Award was founded in 2007 to be given each year to a person who has made a substantial contribution to inspire or empower the Challenger community. Dave Allan passed away from cancer in 2006. Dave was an extremely talented and knowledgeable Challenger builder and inspector. He gave freely of his time to owners across Canada who called for advice and he always welcomed visitors to his workshop.

Click here for a complete list of the award winners and their accomplishments.

The Challenger line of aircraft launched in 1983 and has enjoyed continuous improvements ever since. To illustrate the staying power of the marque, Challengers swept all Light Sport awards at Airventure Oshkosh in 2013!

Challenger Winter Rendezvous posters are created annually by Dave O'Malley of Aerographics Ottawa. Dave is also historian and webmaster at Vintage Wings.

Click here for the complete Dave O'Malley poster collection.

Write the following down on your calendar and plan to attend the next event!
Click on the venue for Directions from your location!

Stay tuned for details on upcoming events! Click here to be notified of updates!

CHALLENGER 2021-2022
EVENTS

POSTPONED TO 2023

DUE TO

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
2020

2nd Winter Fly-in
Organized by COPA


January 24-26, 2020
Chateau Montebello


Full Details Online At
flymontebello.com


POSTPONED TO 2023

DUE TO

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

22nd Annual Float Tour
Canadian Challengers


POSTPONED TO 2023
July 20 - 26, 2020

Airventure 2020 Oshkosh
Click here for vignettes!


EAA Airventure Oshkosh
Quad City in Booth 908


POSTPONED TO 2023
July 20 - 26, 2020
Oshkosh, Wisconsin


2018 was Challenger 35th!
Challengers Take Awards

14th Annual Open House
Challenger Canada


POSTPONED TO 2023
August 8, 2020
Edenvale, ON


32nd Gathering of Classics
Click here for 2019 details!


21st Annual Fly-in
Carleton Place


POSTPONED TO 2023
September 12, 2020
Carleton Place, ON


Record is 30 Challengers!
Click for sample details!


13th Annual Western Challenger Rendezvous

POSTPONED TO 2023
Stay Tuned For Dates
Courtenay, BC


Beautiful Vancouver Island!
Click here for 2018 details!
2019

1st Winter Fly-in
Organized by COPA


January 25-27, 2019
Chateau Montebello


Click here for 2019 Official Announcement & Details!

EAA Airventure Oshkosh
Quad City in Booth 908


July 22 - 28, 2019
Oshkosh, Wisconsin


2018 was Challenger 35th!
Challengers Take Awards

13th Annual Open House
Challenger Canada


August 10, 2019
Edenvale, ON


31st Gathering of Classics
Click here for 2019 details!


21st Annual Float Tour
Canadian Challengers


August 10 - 24, 2019

Quebec North Shore!
Click here for vignettes!


20th Annual Fly-in
Carleton Place


September 7, 2019
Carleton Place, ON


Record is 30 Challengers!
Click for sample details!

2018

28th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous

January 26-28, 2018
Chateau Montebello


35 Years of Challengers!
Click here for 2018 details!


EAA Airventure Oshkosh
Quad City in Booth 908


July 23 - 29, 2018
Oshkosh, Wisconsin


EAA Honours Challenger
Challengers Take Awards

12th Annual Open House
Challenger Canada


August 11, 2018
Edenvale, ON


30th Gathering of Classics
Click here for 2018 details!


12th Annual Western Challenger Rendezvous

September 7-9, 2018
Courtenay, BC


Beautiful Vancouver Island!
Click here for 2018 details!

19th Annual Fly-in
Carleton Place


September 8, 2018
Carleton Place, ON


Record is 30 Challengers!
Click for sample details!


20th Annual Float Tour
Canadian Challengers


Sept. 8-22, 2018
Fly to the Factory!


35 Years of Challengers!
Click here for 30th report!


Challenger 35th Factory
Anniversary Celebration


Sept. 14-16, 2018
Celebrate at Factory!


35 Years of Challengers!
Click here for 30th report!

2017

27th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous

January 27-29, 2017
Chateau Montebello


100 skiplanes! 300 people!
Click here for 2017 details!


EAA Airventure Oshkosh
Quad City in Booth 908


July 24 - 30, 2017
Oshkosh, Wisconsin


EAA Honours Challenger
Challengers Take Awards

11th Annual Open House
Challenger Canada


August 13, 2017
Edenvale, ON


29th Gathering of Classics
Click here for 2017 details!


11th Annual Western Challenger Rendezvous

September 8-10, 2017
Courtenay, BC


Beautiful Vancouver Island!
Click here for 2017 details!

18th Annual Fly-in
Carleton Place


September 9, 2017
Carleton Place, ON


Record is 30 Challengers!
2017 details coming soon!


19th Annual Float Tour
Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal


Sep 16 - Oct 7, 2017
Return to Alabama


A leisurely 5,000 km jaunt!
Click here for 2017 details!

2016

26th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous

January 29-31, 2016
Chateau Montebello


100 skiplanes! 300 people!
Click here for 2016 details!


10th Annual Western Challenger Rendezvous

July 8-10, 2016
Wetaskiwin, AB


Click here for past pictures!
2016 pictures coming soon!

EAA Airventure Oshkosh
Quad City in Booth 908


July 25 - 31, 2016
Oshkosh, Wisconsin


EAA Honours Challenger
Challengers Take Awards

10th Annual Open House
Challenger Canada


August 6, 2016
Edenvale, ON


28th Gathering of Classics
Click here for 2016 details!


18th Annual Float Tour
Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal


August 6-20, 2016
Track QC/ON Border


North in QC, South in ON
Click here for 2016 details!


17th Annual Fly-in
Carleton Place


September 10, 2016
Carleton Place, ON


30 Challengers in 2010!
2016 coming! 2015 here!

2015

25th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous

Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2015
Chateau Montebello


100 skiplanes! 200 people!
Click here for 2015 details!


17th Annual Float Tour
Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal


June 27 - July 19
Journey to Westebello


Put it on your calendar!
Click here for 2015 details!


9th Annual Western Challenger Rendezvous

July 10-12, 2015
Wetaskiwin, AB


Click here for past pictures!
Click here for 2015 details!

EAA Airventure Oshkosh
Quad City in Booth 908


July 20 - 26, 2015
Oshkosh, Wisconsin


EAA Honours Challenger
Challengers Take Awards

9th Annual Open House
Challenger Canada


August 8, 2015
Edenvale, ON


27th Gathering of Classics
Click here for 2015 details!


16th Annual Fly-in
Carleton Place


September 12, 2015
Carleton Place, ON


30 Challengers in 2010!
Click here for 2015 details!

Come to any or all of our events whether you're an owner or not.
You don't even have to be Canadian!

Click here for brief reports on a typical year's Happenings in Canada.

Below is a sampling of some past summer and winter Canadian gatherings:
(Remember to click underlined text to go to the full report and pictures!)

25th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous
Chateau Montebello - January 30 - February 1, 2015

A QUARTER CENTURY OF WINTER FUN
CHALLENGER WINTER-TACULAR!
Click here for COPA Flight article and pictures!
Click here for 2015 poster, theme and agenda!

24th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous
Chateau Montebello - Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2014

EXPANDING HORIZONS TOGETHER
Challenger comes complete with its own community
of owners and network of service providers!
Click here, here, here and here for 2014 photos galore!
Click here for 2014 COPA Flight article and pictures!
Click here for 2014 poster, theme and agenda!

Click the poster on the left above for large English and French versions.
Click the COPA cover on the right above for full article and pics.

Challenger 30th Anniversary Celebration
Erie Airpark, Illinois - Sept. 20-22, 2013


Click here for feature!

Click here for 120 photos!

Click here for cover!

23rd Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous
Chateau Montebello - February 1-3, 2013

30 YEARS OF CHALLENGERS
1983 to 2013! Time flies and so do 4,000 Challengers!
Click here for classic Return From Montebello video!
Click here, here, here and here for 2013 photos galore!
Click here for 2013 COPA Flight article and pictures!
Click here for 2013 poster, theme and agenda!

Click the poster on the left above for large English and French versions.
Click the COPA cover on the right above for full article and pics.

22nd Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous
Chateau Montebello - February 3-5, 2012

SNOW 'n FUN was FABULOUS!
Sun & Wind Perfect! Ice & Snow Perfect!
Over 90 Planes!
Click here for Tomorrow is Today video!
Click here for photos galore!
Click here for COPA Flight article and pictures!
Click here for 2012 theme and agenda!

Click the poster on the left above for large English and French versions.
Click the COPA cover on the right above for full article and pics.

21st Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous
Chateau Montebello - February 4-6, 2011

WINTER FLYING - THEN & NOW
Blue Sky / Warm Air / Light Wind
Click here for Full Emotion video!
Click here for More than a Feeling video!
Click here for COPA Flight article and pictures!
Click here for 2011 theme and agenda!

Click the poster on the left above for large English and French versions.
Click the COPA cover on the right above for full article and pics.

20th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous
Chateau Montebello - January 22-24, 2010

Everything Purrfect! See COPA Flight - March 2010 - Cover & Feature!
Click here for The Big Two Oh video!
Click here for Full Action video!
Click here for tons of photos!
Click here for 2010 theme and agenda!

The Big Two Oh!

Click above and find
the 49 Challengers!

Pilgrimage to Baddeck - An Amphibious Adventure

11th Annual Challenger Float Tour - August 2009

19th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous
Chateau Montebello - 30 Jan to 1 Feb 2009

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Ultralights in Canada!

Challenger 25th Anniversary Celebration
Erie Airpark, Illinois - Sept. 19-21, 2008



Click here for Evolution!

Click here for Kitplanes!



Click here for Evolution!


Click here for Canuck view!

Click here for COPA article!



Click here for Canuck view!

18th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous - January 25 - 27, 2008

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Quad City and the Challenger!

17th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous - January 26 - 28, 2007

At the 11th hour it was up in the air - then it happened up in the air!

16th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous - January 27 - 29, 2006

The 16th Annual Challenger Winter Rendezvous was enjoyed by 250+ people and a large gaggle of ski Challengers. Click here for text, photos and video.

The March 2006 COPA Flight featured great Montebello pictures and an article by Rob Mathers who flew his Challenger 800 kms from Windsor, ON.
Click to see Rob's piece "The Montebello Experience". It also appeared in the April issue of Windicator, the Windsor Flying Club's quarterly newsletter.

The February 2006 UPAC News cover had a great shot of a Challenger
on skis doing a fly-by plus inside there's a report on the event.

If you're not already a member of COPA and UPAC join today!

36 Challengers
on skis flew in!

March 2005 COPA Flight Coverage

Over 200 people
in attendance!

March 2004 COPA Flight Coverage

Why is this front page news?

The Challenger Rendezvous is
THE biggest winter event in
Canadian aviation and every year
sets new attendance records!

Montebello Montage

A picture is worth a 1000 words
so click above for 37,000 words!!

13th Annual Winter Rendezvous

January 25-26, 2003

The Full Montebello

Click above for complete coverage!

12th Annual Winter Rendezvous

February 2-3, 2002



July 2-9, 2000

Owners voyaged to the Saguenay fjords and the CF-18s of Bagotville!



July 20 - August 1, 2000

The first Canadian ultralights crossed the U.S. border for Oshkosh!!

Accolades were received from EAA, COPA, FAA and Transport Canada!



July 1999

Float Flying Adventure


Winter 1998

Montebello Meet Magnificent


Summer 1997

Jacksons' Iroquois Fly-in Rated 5 Star


Winter 1995

ICOA Sets Records For Ski Fly-ins


Summer 1996

Challengers Swarm To Haliburton

Did you see the movie "Fly Away Home", about the geese and the ultralight?
The Migratory Bird Research Group used a Challenger to teach Trumpeter Swans to migrate! These magnificent birds with wingspans up to 8 feet were eradicated from eastern North America a hundred years ago. The three year project to reintroduce a self-sustaining migratory flock concluded with an 800 mile migration from northern Ontario to southern Indiana. That's 800 miles in close formation at the swans' long range endurance speed - 40 mph!

On the migration the group's Challenger was used as chase plane. This role is much like that of a sheepdog - herding the swans behind the trike on takeoff, bookending the formation in flight and chasing after the swans when they decided to scoot. Sometimes the birds broke formation to check out something interesting on the ground below. Other times they were escaping something scary like a passing Cessna. When they did break they flew off at over 60 mph!

National Ultralight assigned Bryan Quickmire as liaison to the project. Bryan actually had the honour of flying the group's Challenger on the migration. Ask him sometime how he earned the nickname 'Rex'!

Click to the Trumpeter Swan Migration Project for more info and pictures!

If you wish, we'll notify you automatically by e-mail when this site is updated!


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