I love the small tail.

I flew fighters.

I have talked over half a dozen people out of buying a Lancair, although
that was not everyone I flew with.

Some I did NOT talk out of buying a Lancair had no fighter or jet or airline
experience - but the diference in my eyes was vivid.  Some folks just take
to it like ducks to water, some obviously struggle to keep the aircraft
doing what THEY want it to do.  I was not "kind" to anyone, just asked them
very directly after struggling for 10 minutes or so, "did you feel
comfortable with that maneuver?"  They always said, "No."  I also asked, "How many hours a year do you generally fly, and will you
fly?"  Do NOT let your ego enter into this decision.  Fly with someone really good,
and ASK THEM to watch you while you are flying, specifically instructing
them to think about whether or not you are struggling with the exercise.  If you are struggling "just flying" a Lancair on a clear beautiful day, go
buy or build an RV 7 or 9.

I like you all, and don't want to read your Obit.  Best Regards,

Bill Reister
N351E



-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Peterson [mailto:jeffreyb.peterson@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 08:22
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: RE: Small tail vs. large tail

Harper,

About six years ago I faced the decision you now face, asked the same
questions, and ended up cutting out the small tail and installing the larger
one.

I made a web page of the process, and that is somewhere on LML, maybe Marv
can point you to it.

With all due respect to my fine small-feathered friends, I find that the
strongest proponents of the small tail either once flew fighters, or now fly
for a major airline, or both.

They are much more current, experienced pilots than I will ever be.
They have been through the very best flight training available.

My job forces me to take 3-6 month breaks from flying. When I do fly I can
do it often, but then I get involved in something demanding at work, and I
have a long layoff.
After a layoff I find myself controlling poorly the first few times back in
the left seat.
I repeatedly retrain myself.

I wanted to be sure my Lancair had plenty of elevator authority.
I wanted to be able to trim right onto the runway.

Also, the fact that Australia really truly did reject the small tail
version, then Lancair actually did change the design...that was a factor for
me.

I would say the large tail mod added 250 hours to my build time.

I am right now dealing with the long mount cowl.  I have an angle valve 200
HP engine, and have had to completely rework the cowl.  I am nearly done but
have at least 250 hours in the cowl as well.  I chose to make gradual
changes, but if I were starting again I would throw away the
Lancair-provided junk and make my own from scratch.

One comment: even though the cowl was c**p, the large tail was very nicely
built.

These are my thoughts and I hope you find them useful.

Jeff Peterson
N273CK







--
Jeff Peterson
Dept of Physics, CMU



--
Jeff Peterson
Dept of Physics, CMU