John,

 

Just like building an airplane, there are some things you must do for yourself.

 

go to:  http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp

 

Bookmark this page, you may want to return to it regularly.

 

Enter a date range like 1/1/2002 to the present date.  Under category select airplane.  Under amateur built select yes and under make/model enter Lancair.  Go to the bottom of the page and click on submit query.  This should result in about 55 records.

 

Read them all, don't just limit yourself to IV-Ps.  Some will note mechanical failures, some will note pilot failures and some, both.  The reports are listed from the most current entries to oldest.  The older ones (about a year back and older) are more likely to have NTSB conclusions added.

 

If you haven't already considered a test pilot for the first flight, you should do so.  If you haven't at least been to an HPAT ground school, you should go before you fly.  You should be current and flying something that is high performance and complex now.  You should also be in contact with your aviation insurance company as they may have some "suggestions" about your training in order for you to obtain hull coverage.

 

It may have taken years to build the plane but without thorough preparation of one's self, only moments to return it to a pile of parts.

 

You may have been to builder assist programs, had the panel built for you, got somebody to do the body work and paint, but you are ultimately going to fly it as that can't be farmed out.  Consider safety as just another part of the do-it-yourself build/fly process.

 

PS You may wish to go to http://www.lancaironline.net/maillist.html , click on NTSB Reports and download the spreadsheet with a summary of Lancair accidents.