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So, the ES will now follow in
the footsteps of the Cirrus and Columbia and offer a turbocharged version.
ES builders will now have the option of paying a lot more money for another
antique engine design, with the added attraction of cylinder life in the 500
hour range, much higher fuel burn, and a higher pilot workload. This for
the benefit of a few more knots. Hmmm ...
Anyone with any experience with
the ES knows that it is already nose-heavy with the IO-550. Keeping heavy
stuff 'way back and going with the lighter composite props tames the problem
adequately, but more extreme measures are going to have to be taken to handle
the extra 95 pounds or so that the TSIO-550 will add out in front. The
wing really needs to be moved forward, probably about two inches, and this will
cause other problems in the cabin. The bottom of the back seat is already
too long in the ES, due to the location of the shear box for the main
spars. The front seats have to be cantilevered aft of the two bulkheads
that cross underneath, and moving those forward will make for all kinds of
difficulties.
In my opinion, the ES is the
best of all the Lancair designs, for several reasons: It really carries
four people, fuel, and bags. It travels at a very respectable speed, and
has good range. It's easy to fly. The fixed gear makes for lower
operating and insurance costs. Check the stat's for accidents and you'll
find the ES is a very safe airplane. A well-instrumented ES can be built
for a lot less money than a comparably equipped Columbia or Cirrus would
cost. Why mess with it?
Jim Cameron
Medina, TX
(Builder of two ES's)
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