25 March 2008
Lancair has made the first flight of its newest high performance kit, the Evolution.
The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A coupled to a Hartzell four-blade propeller, and is expected to reach speeds of 385 mph at 39 gallons per hour of Jet A.
The aircraft features a BRS parachute system, energy absorbing seats and the AmSafe Aviation airbag seat belts. It has taken over three years of engineering to get to the flying stage, but the aircraft will meet the FAA Part 23 specifications (which include a 61 kt stall speed).
The aircraft currently has an estimated flying empty weight of 2,300 lb; with its full capacity of 146 gallons of fuel it should still be able to carry a 1,000 lb payload. The aircraft will be available with either a Chelton SV Pro 6 or Garmin G-900X EFIS instrument panel.
The independent test pilot who made the flight described it as a ‘successful first flight’.
Lancair is one of the manufacturers currently speaking out against the FAA’s plans to tighten the homebuilding rules. Its high performance kit aircraft require specialist help in the build process, and this specialist help is among the aspects of homebuilding which the FAA is looking at.
