Back in 1986, I purchased Lancair kit A Serial #71 from Neico Aviation. After a few years of hit and miss building, I was fortunate enough to talk my friend and flight instructor, Steve Smalley, into joining me on the build project. When we got ready to purchase the "B" kit, we learned that Neico was no longer making parts for the 235 since they had begun full scale production of the 320 model parts. They sent us the 320 wing parts and assured us that all would fit OK. Other than the fillet area where the flaps meet the fuselage, the 320 parts worked out well. We were building slow enough that we were able to take advantage of several improvements over the original 235 design, such as the larger main gear legs and higher nose gear tunnel which acommodates the 320 oleo nose strut, ventral fin and extended fuel tanks. We worked at a pretty good pace until the mid 90's when I had to move to OH. I turned the project over to Steve with my best wishes and a promise from him that we would one day realize our dream of flying in the Lancair together. After 2 more moves to PA and NH, I finally got to South Carolina (within a 5 hour drive of Steve's home in Virginia). Over the last year I have had the opportunity to assist him on occasion with the final push to completion. Both Steve and I have really appreciated the many articles on lml that have educated the builder on safety, maintenance, and new ideas that enhance the overall flying experience. Steve has spoken very highly of current Lancair owners who have patiently answered questions any time he has called and been willing to let him have some dual time in their aircraft. What a great community of builders! All I can say to all those who have contributed to this forum, THANK-YOU!! For those of you who are still building, The day will come, as it did for Steve recently, when you look at your plane and say " There is nothing left to do except weigh the thing and get my sign-off". Well, maybe not quite that simple...but you get the point which is that a faithful builder will get his or her reward ; A Lancair that likes to go pretty fast!

 For anyone who is still trying to figure out how to make a dust cover, here is an idea that seems to work very well. Take some aluminum trim coil from your local hardware or building supply. Cut it out and place it over the instrument panel. Use the trial fit method until you get a good fit. Notch out (for forward hinged canopy). Use hinge wire on the ends so that you have some support for fastening. Use safety wire to fasten and tighten the cover up. Add ultra leather, whatever you want, or nothing. Hose tubing was used on the instrument panel side. If you take it off, simply cut the safety wire and re-attach. It takes only a few minutes.

(see photos)

 

 

Alan Blevins (for)

Steve Smalley

Lancair 235/320

N235N  99.5% complete