29 July 2008
<b>News from<br> <a href=”http://www.airventure.org”><img src=”images/airventure2k8.gif” border=”0″><br>Oshkosh</a></b>
Lancair has announced that it is to offer a piston-engine version of its Evolution kitplane. Previously the aircraft had been available only with the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A turbine, which gives it a cruise speed of over 380mph.
The new powerplant, which is still expected to provide 270ktas at 28,000ft, is the Lycoming TEO-540-A IE2 (which itself was announced <a href=’http://www.flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=763′ target=’_blank’>yesterday</a>). Fuel consumption is predicted to be just 22 gallons of 100LL per hour, giving a range of 1,300nm at a full fuel payload of 1,080lb.
The new engine will have full FADEC (Full Authority Digital Electronic Control) and many other features.
The Evolution <a href=’http://www.flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=712′ target=’_blank’>first flew earlier this year</a>; the first customer delivery was made last week.
