What happened to the basic Lancair?

[SIG600]

If you're gonna go the quickbuild route with the RV's, make sure you plan to wait for several months. Last I checked it was like 4-6 months from order to delivery. If you order the empenage, wing, and fuse, kits all at the same time, you can be working on the tail while the rest is on it's way. Get your metal working skills down. And it gives you an appreciation for how many dimples and rivets you WON'T have to do when the QB sections show up!!!!

On the Lancair. I had no idea the Legacy used a 6 cyl. engine. That things gotta haul ass.

 

[flyboycpa]

Gorilla,
If considering the RV, look at an F-1 Rocket. One guy in my squadron has one and races it at Reno. Another just bought an F-1 kit. It will probably run you about $20000 more than an RV-8, with HUGE amounts of performance.

I've been building an RV-7 with my best friend. We looked at the Rocket, too, because it is a fabulous performer. The insurance on the completed aircraft was 2 1/2 to 3 times what it would cost to insure the -7. (in all fairness, part of the increase in premium is due in part to an estimated extra $15k-$20k higher hull value on the Rocket).

Unless you have an extremely high amount of flight time (and particularly, tailwheel time) OR you are just filthy rich and don't mind the insurance premium, I would definitely consider the cost of insurance prior to purchasing a kit.

 

[V1cutsrfun]

If you still want a 320/360 series many are still available it the kit/unopened and ready to assembled. The Legacy is a follow on to the 360 series as product evolution. Having flown several RV's and nearly all (except the ES) lancair's models, it is the best all around Product. The Rv is the best bang for the buck, the overall sex appeal in the lancair is higher. The F1 has gear box issues and the Legacy can be built with a VAREITY engine option. the legacy just took an already proven product and improved upon it. Besides it has more room. I just flew 900 miles in a 320 and the room in the legacy would have been a boon. I just flew the IVP the other way and...well its an apples to oranges....The pilot group in the Lancair community is great just the same. Many 300 and 200's for that matter are still under construction and won't be "orphaned" any time soon. It is still possible to have what you want.

Bum:beer:

 

[psysicx]

Barnstomers is a great site. Theres an RV-6 for sale that is 90% done for only 17K. Thats cheap. How much does an engine cost. I know its going to vary.

 

[CDogg]

For a factory new IO360 I think you're probably looking around 30k when all said and done. You could always buy one with some time on it and to a top overhaul on it, and you would probably save some money and have just as good of an engine. Factory new anything cost a lot...you could find something for around 15 in good shape that would do you good for atleast a thousand hours.

 

[Gorilla]

A genuine Lycoming will cost a bundle, as CDogg said, but there are now "clone" engines available at significantly less cost. These are for experimental aircraft, which of course any home-built will be. Supposedly the parts are identical or superior to the factory parts.

http://www.mattituck.com/

Click on the Experimental Engines link. A new clone O-360 is $21K. They have overbored O-390's too, lots of power in the same package as the -360. Given Mattituck's reputation, I'd be completely comfortable with one of these up front.

 

[dogismycopilot]

While the company recommends the IO550 in the Legacy, the original prototype was successfully flown and put out some impressive numbers with some form of the IO360. Like so many other aircraft manufacturers, the lure of more power and more performance was too difficult to pass up. Shortly after the initial introduction, the HP was increased. The great thing about a homebuilt is the ability to put any engine with any airframe and ride it for all it's worth.

 

[CDogg]

I'd think it would do just fine with a Cont. IO360 with some 10:1 pistons... probably get 235-240 out of it just fine... and would sip gas compared to a guzzling IO550... it's an experimental, why do something basic? I really want to get into a Thunder Mustang, but don't think I can afford the 100k supercharged V8 that goes in it just yet.