Aircraft Ownership
365-mph Lancair makes maiden flight
The first flight of Lancair International’s Evolution kitplane took place March 21 at the company’s Redmond, Ore., home base, company officials announced.
The four-seat turboprop is designed for a top speed of 385 mph and a stall speed of 61 mph, a climb rate that exceeds 4,000 fpm, and a range of more than 1,000 nautical miles. Safety equipment includes ballistic parachutes, seat belts with air bags, and energy-absorbing seats for the pressurized airplane.
The Evolution is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT-6-135A, and avionics options include Chelton or Garmin panels. Lancair officials say the Evolution is designed to FAA Part 23 standards. Evolution kits carry a retail price of $250,000.
Lancair plans to display the Evolution at the Sun ’n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla., April 8 through 13.
March 27, 2008
