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Last week I flew to Idaho to visit Regan Ranch (love that narrow, uphill airstrip) and
then visited Lancair and the new Lancair Columbia production facility.  It shows all
the signs of gearing up.  People in training, procedural documents at every work
station, and we saw about 5 aircraft various stages of progress.  The FAA still does
final inspection on each one until the company gets its final production certificate,
but that should occur soon.  I think the limitations on growth right now are primarily
the ability to train and qualify production personnel, and application of learning to
get the build time down.  Mike Schrader said that the build time (hours for assembly)
is still high as they work out procedures and teach personnel, so it would seem to be
wise to claw down the learning curve a bit before increasing the production rate and
perpetuating bad habits.

We saw the prototype Columbia 400 being outfitted with the turbocharged engine.
Nothing dramatically different could be seen.  It will just make horsepower at altitude
and probably go very fast.  I expect that Columbia, with its gentle flight
characteristics, big wing, high cruse speed, and load hauling capability will become
the greatly improved 182 of the new millennium.

Fred

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.