It’s an anniversary! Ten years ago a truck pulled up in front of our garage here in Reno with a crate containing the parts necessary to build a Lancair 320 kitplane. My wife and I had little experience with building anything, much less an airplane. Our tool collection consisted of a few screwdrivers, a set of wrenches, and a hammer. We didn’t even own a power drill. However, although we hadn’t spent a night at a Holiday Inn Express, both of us had just completed a three-day workshop on composite construction and we were prepared to put this kit together in our spare time. Wow, were we naïve.

After 10 years and 3500 hours we’re still building. We’ve learned a lot, we know how to use tools that we didn’t even know existed when we started, and we have gained the utmost respect (awe is probably a better word) for all of those who have gone before us and built their own Lancairs. In the beginning, we believed that this would be an assembly job (that’s the naïve part). Now we know that each Lancair, including ours, is a hand-crafted one-of-a-kind airplane.

We’re now retired and able to work on the project for four or five hours most days and the progress from week to week is actually noticeable. How folks are able to build these airplanes while working a full-time job is a mystery to us. We made little headway on our project before we retired – much of the time was spent dusting off the airplane and trying to remember where we were.

We are extremely grateful to Marv for starting the LML and to the many Lancair builders and flyers who contribute their experiences and insights to the List. Whenever we start a new task we first look through the LML archives so that we can benefit from the experiences of the Lancair builder community. Additionally, we have and continue to benefit greatly from on-site advice and help from Gary Martin and Bucky Whittier.

Who knows what percentage we have completed or when this airplane will fly – we decline to answer these questions (or even think about the answers). The airplane is on its landing gear (outback) with the gear doors complete and the hydraulic cylinders installed. The Mk II horizontal stabilizer (including elevator and trim tab) has been fabricated, but is not yet permanently attached to the fuselage. The wings are closed and the wingtips and ailerons are complete. The flaps go up and down under electric power, but are not yet closed. After only a few more minor tasks (humor intended) - forward-hinged canopy, engine installation, instrument panel, etc. - we’ll be installing our Zavatson engine cowling and cooling system.

Did I mention that my wife Karen has measured, cut out, wet out and applied all of the BID layups? To answer the often-asked question: yes, she does have a sister, but unfortunately her sister has no interest in airplane construction.

In reading the LML, it’s reassuring to be reminded that there are still many 320/360 builders quietly laboring away in their garages, workshops, and hangars. I am sure that when we are all flying someday, like those who have gone before us we’ll look back with pride on our planes, even though our projects may have taken a little longer than expected.

Peter Barber