Quad City Ultralights of Iowa is one of the oldest suppliers of light aircraft, having celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2008. With more than 3,500 aircraft flying, Quad City is also one of the most successful. We examine their Challenger II Light-Sport Special model at AirVenture 2011 and speak with company founder, Dave Goulet, who remains in charge of the company since its founding.
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Dan, since your interview with David Goulet in 2011, things have really gone gown hill at Quad City. Not knowing that David had passed away, nor that Quad City’s fabricator had walked off the job and that Karen (Quad City’s Office Manager of 30 years) had retired; I ordered a Challenger XL65 on January 17, 2017. Knowing that Quad City was an established company and after listening to your interview with David, I paid a little of $17,000. (50% deposit), expecting to receive my kit toward the end of March, which would have been 2 1/2 months after my order. After receiving no communications from the factory and receiving excuses about two planes being fabricated in front of mine, via information given to my Challenger dealer from the factory, I became concerned after learning that Quad City had accepted my deposit after losing their sole fabricator. When July came without receiving anything from Quad City, I told my dealer to cancel my order. The factory apologized to me and sent the tail system to me with a promise of sending the remainder of my kit within thirty days. Thirty days came and went without receiving anything from. To make matters worse, I discovered the the vertical stabilizer had been improperly fabricated at the factory. Frustrated by the lies, delays and improper fabrication; I cancelled my order. It is now September and I haven’t received one cent of my deposit returned. To add insult to injury, Quad City wants to charge me a 25% cancellation penalty, after they are the reason for my cancellation. In the meantime, I’ve ordered a new CGS Hawk E/LSA. I understand, Quad City has recruited Mike Harrision owner of “Skyes The Limit” aviation, a long time Challenger dealer, to help fabrication of new Challenger kits. I understand that Quad City has recruited one or more additional Challenger dealers to assist in filling orders and to help keep the company afloat.
I’m very concerned that Quad City is on the verge of financial failure, and yet I understand that they are still accepting deposits for new kits. I wish you’d take the time to get the back story on Quad City so that potential buyers will be warned before they throw their money away. After what I’ve gone through, I sincerely believe that the death of David Goulet has sounded the death knell for Quad City.
I am sorry to hear of your experience which certainly sounds less than satisfactory. I hope you will get improved news but one thing I can say is that many builders have been quite pleased with their Quad City aircraft and perhaps their user group can help. I know of a Facebook page for Challenger owners. If you are not active on it, I strongly urge you check it out for the best information from the field.
I guess that means you won’t be putting any effort into his request?
Chris: I re-read John’s letter to see no specific request. I did offer him the platform of this website to air his concerns to tens of thousands of readers and I directed him to a Facebook group where he could get more factory interaction information than I can provide. My hope that these tools might help shed more light on the subject and perhaps stimulate a resolution.
John,
I am in the same boat as you. I actually ordered and paid in full for the complete plane over three years ago and have been given the run around for over three years now. I am still owed over $25,000.00 in parts that I have paid in full for. At my wits end. Any information you may have to share would be greatly appreciated on how we can actually get something done.
Daniel Dupre