I'm not sure where the notion that Lance is re-entering the light aircraft market comes from, but let's think about what makes sense.

Many of us feel that Lancair has abandoned the "affordable kitplane" market.  If Lance were to go "head-to-head" with Vans, and not compete directly against Lancair, what would the plane look like?

Two-place
320 engine with fixed pitch prop
fixed gear
Cruise speed 160-180 mph
Composite

Have I missed anything?

Can it be done for the price of an RV?  I'm not sure.  Lance certainly has the people available to get it done.  Greg Cole and Carsten Sundin can make sure it flies and performs properly, Vern can make parts for prototypes before they goe off-shore for production, Mark Mahnke and many others can help build it, and Lance can make it look beautiful.  All of these people are still in the local area, and I apologize to the dozens of other people who would also be key players whom I simply don't know.

But what about the Light Sport market?  That's a bigger market than the kitplane market.  Can Lance create an LSA that competes with the current crop?  Can he find funding to make it happen?  (Probably, if anyone can in this market.  Lance has an established track record, which is the Number One requirement for obtaining funding.)

So will we see a new low-end kitplane to compete with Vans?  Or will we see another LSA?

Time will tell.  I know I'll be watching.

- Rob Wolf