I have not flown one yet but want to so I can figure out whether I want to go ahead and purchase. Anybody know who has one that might be able to take me for a spin (I am in WA)
I am looking into the Builder assist program with the Lancair company. Anyone had any experiences?
I dont know jack all about them except they are very fast, and very fuel efficient. There is a turbine powered one I have seen at PJT. Sounds funny that big 750hp turbine on such a small plane!!
There are a few threads about them here elsewhere on PPRuNe, particularly after the President of AOPA lost his life in one, plus a few others bit the dust here and there. Very slippery, fast and pretty much a 90 knots over the fence machine.
Lancair are crap. Stay away from them. Their performance comes at the expense of safety margins. A very experienced acquaintance of mine died in one while he was trying to help the owner explore its stalling behaviour.
Lancair's IMNSHO, are no less safe than any other aircraft, however this must be caveated by the comment that they are much more demanding than most other GA types and require very good training in the aircraft, its behaviour and performance. They do have some gotchas for the inexperienced, however as long as the pilot is aware of these and knows how to deal with them then they are a very efficient and relatively fast GA aircraft.
Why? What is the intended role? VFR? IFR? What experience do you have and level of currency? Where are you going to fly? Who is going to maintain it? How often is it going to be flown? How long are you prepared to building before you fly?
There is a VERY HIGH accident and fatality rate for these category of aircraft. I believe quite often the wrong person is attracted to it for the wrong reasons - sometimes ending in disaster. I would advise people who want to fly these aircraft types because they go fast, or look cool - are inviting serious trouble in the very least. These aircraft are not toys. They are not for the inexperienced. They are not for people who want to go for a "spin". Others have tried it before you and not walked away.
I have built and flown 2 lancair 360 aircraft and I have enjoyed many hundreds of hours in them. However - the enjoyable flying charateristics can be the undoing for some people- ie light control forces, marginal longitudinal stability, rapid roll rates, high wing loading, high approach speeds and stall speeds, light weight/low inertia aircraft.
I find them very enjoyable to fly - but when they bite - it can be without much warning and the consequences can be severe. A very healthy respect for the aircraft characteristics, serious discipline, complete situation awareness and an over riding desire to stay out of trouble and alive are required.
The building process was overall very enjoyable and rewarding. There are many knowledgeable and interesting people that you may come across through various builders groups throughout the world and the SAAA. The knowledge that you gain and the friendships you make is fantastic. But be prepared to be building for many years. The building is really a fundamental part of this aircraft category.
oldm8 - I most respectfully suspect by the tone of your post that this may not be a suitable aircraft for your purposes. Do not be disheartened - I am sure that there is another aircraft type out there that would be more suitable and sustainable for yourself - just keep looking.
Oldm8 as far as I know, there is one Legacy close to flying in Australia with another kit on the way. The aerofoil is completely different to the Lancair IV & Lancair 200-360 series. It is a much more forgiving airframe. Having said that, I must agree with other posters in saying that you should be experienced & current before flying these high performance aircraft. I have over 300 hours in Lancair IV's including 4 first flight test programs & can assure you that it is not an abinitio training aircraft! You can test fly a Legacy at Redmond Oregon at the Lancair Factory or at Oshkosh in July. In my opinion, the Legacy flight controls are much better balanced compared to all the other Lancair models. The IO-550 Continental powered Legacy (310 HP) should cruise at 240 knots if well constructed.
The topic is diverting to Lancair models that are totally unrelated to the original post. The Aircraft that Sunfish speaks of (whilst trajic) was a highly modified turbine 4 seat version that had known aerodynamic issues when it took flight. You can't compare the two.
...don't wanna hijack, but I fly an HRII, and I believe it's the best possible mix of all the various things I'd like in an aircraft. ast, slow, right side up, upside down, HUGE load carrying capacity, maneuverable....Obviously these vary from owner to owner, but I think it has much better low speed manners than a Lancair, from what I've read. 200 knots, honest ones, are nearly as good as 240, in the real world, and being able to slow her up to use a 900 foot strip is great...and damn good for precautionary landings. Try putting a Lancair into a farm paddock if you had to, and I'll betcha the chances are higher that you'll come unstuck. Seriously aerobatic, lighter wing loading, solid - and welded - undercarriage (which I think is a real plus), and - my favourite bit - very, very simple to operate. I'm reasonably experienced, although nothin like some of the fellas on PPRuNe - but I see the simplicity as being all about margin. In other words, I presume with appropriate training I could handle a Lancair, or for that matter a P-51, but if a Rocket is easier to fly, then that's all good when the chips (and the ceilings) are down. And easy doesn't mean boring, I promise
Not trying to steer anyone away from the Lancair, about which I know jack$&it, and I confess I gaze lustfully at the IV-P (turbine) myself....so much as confirm from 500 joyful hours in the HRII that it's a hell of a machine, and in my opinion a pretty safe one too. Certainly, I'd recommend looking around as much as poss before settling on any particular machine, and I applaud the idea of getting a flight or two in as many different machines as you can con the owners into taking you on. If you made it to Queenstown NZ I know someone who'd take you flying in a Harmon Rocket, just, well, cos it's there
What experience do you have and level of currency?
>2000 command in CT4, PC9, Hawk 127 and F/A-18. Obviously a military operator, less than 50 in recreational aircraft but I know what I dont know, and this seems to keep me safe.
Thanks everyone for all the info so far. I am nowhere near actually moving on this just getting as much info as I can.
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Also resident of page 13.
Age: 44
Posts: 2,194
Quote:
>2000 command in CT4, PC9, Hawk 127 and F/A-18. Obviously a military operator, less than 50 in recreational aircraft but I know what I dont know, and this seems to keep me safe.
You don't want a Lancair, you want one of these! Surely that is more up your alley...
The only thing I have to say about the Lancair is look at the prop, look at the moment arm and then look at the size of the rudder, now I am no aerodynamics expert, but to me that just doesn't compute!
Although if you are going the factory built option, I can't see it would be a problem! I am just a bit iffy about some of the original 'homebuilt mods'.
What experience do you have and level of currency? >2000 command in CT4, PC9, Hawk 127 and F/A-18. Obviously a military operator, less than 50 in recreational aircraft but I know what I dont know, and this seems to keep me safe.
With the greatest respect, my friend who was killed helping out the owner of this particular Lancair had s similar (and distinguished) background.
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