Message-Id: <199904261359.JAA28537@websmtp1.bellsouth.bigfoot.com>
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Subject: Long Term Flying
From: "Phillip Harcourt" <acro1@bellsouth.net>
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 10:35:47 -0400
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Hi,

After 900 hours of Lancair 360 time and flying a number of different
versions, I have also come to some conclusions:

These aircraft are very nice to fly and extremely economical compared to
certified aircraft.  Very low airframe maintenance; one set of landing
gear doughnuts and two hinges on flaps along with all the wear out items
have pretty much kept the airframe in like new condition.  Firewall forward
is just like any airplane if the installation was done right the first
time.

If I were doing it again:  

1.  If you are a flyer instead of a builder, get all the fast build
options you can afford.  
2.  If you are sport flying - no autopilot - you don't need the weight
or complexity, If you are doing a great deal of X-Country and especially
IFR, get a S-TEC 40-50 coupled to everything.
3.  The standard gear works fine if you are only going to be on good
pavement - I have had zero problems in 900 hours.  If you want to go on
grass get the outback gear for the full size tires.
4.  I built a custom panel that put everything in front of the pilot,
flaps are on the throttle and trim is on the stick - build the panel to
suit your type of flying.
5.  I would not do the header tank, just make the wings wet in the last
bay and feed the engine from the wing tanks.
6.  I like the visibility of the airplane so well especially during sport
acro that I would not paint the top of the canopy - wear a hat.  
7.  Inverted systems would be nice but you need to plan ahead during
engine installation to find room - also think ahead to how fast this thing
will go when you leave the nose down with all the levers forward, also
remember the extended hub on the prop so gyroscopic type manuvers are
not a good idea.  (I also have a Sukhoi and prefer to rotate the earth in
it.)

All in all, these aircraft are very easy to live with and have no built
in bad habits - they are just high performance aircraft that have to be
flown by well trained pilots.  

As I have too many airplanes (Twin Comanchee, Sukhoi 26, Lancair 360),
the Lancair is for sale.  Please contact me at Acro1@Bellsouth.net if
interested.

Phil Harcourt
N4PH

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