From: RWolf99@aol.com
Message-ID: <c.1558f86a.28283ab3@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 7 May 2001 13:51:47 EDT
Subject: Legacy Options
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type:  text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding:  7bit
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com

          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>
 In a message dated 5/6/01 12:38:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
 Adam Molny writes:
  
<< ...I will be visiting the factory the week after
  next to finalize my order (i.e. write a BIG check) and pick out the
  options. My question is, which optional items should I get through
  Lancair? ..  >>

Adam -

I'd like to put in my two cents (I do that a lot here, I'm told) but it's a 
little difficult since many of the 320/360 "options" are now standard with 
the Legacy.  So these opinions may be off the mark.

First, I wholeheartedly agree that you should buy everything that's 
single-source from Lancair as soon as you can.  While I don't think anyone 
expects Lancair to do the Glasair routine and disappear overnight, the fact 
remains that if you don't have a second source to go to then you're at the 
mercy of their delivery times.  Vern does a damn good job at keeping the 
parts flowing as I need them, but it's better to have the parts in your shop 
unless you have several possible sources.  And some items do take a while for 
Lancair to get (or make) especially the fiberglass parts.

I'm now going to flip though the Lancair options catalog and give you my 
opinion of their options, and what I would buy if I were you.  I expect other 
builders to have other opinions.

1)  You can get standard AN parts anywhere.  No need to buy them from Lancair 
now.  Having said that, Lancair would send you two bolts and charge you about 
the cost of a stamp to snail-mail them.  Aircraft Spruce will charge a bundle 
to pack them in a big box and UPS them.  Lancair is an excellent source for 
the odd nut or bolt that you need right away.  But for now, the kit is fairly 
complete in this regard, so hold off on these.

2)  However, buy a quantity of AN3 and AN4 bolts from about -5 to about -12.  
Maybe a dozen each.  They are included in the kits but I often find that the 
recommended length is a dash number off, particularly if it's going through a 
fiberglass part.  Besides, you always need them for something.

3)  The Lancair tow bar is nice and not available elsewhere.

4)  Don't buy resin or Hysol until you need it.  Ths stuff has a shelf life 
of one year.  Lancair sold me seven gallons of epoxy (it came with the kit in 
1994) and I gave almost all of it away in 1996 to a guy that build boats.  
However, Hysol is a HazMat item, so expect a shipping charge of about $80.  
Buy enough while you're there to last a year.

5)  Buy a metal rotary cutter (pizza roller).  Store it in a jar with solvent 
(acetone or methylene chloride).  Use a plastic-handled cutter from the 
fabric store (same thing) for the dry fiberglass, and never use the plastic 
cutter on wet fiberglass.  The solvent will eat the plastic.

6)  The HingeMate gizmo is nice when you're installing your canopy (twelve 
zillion times) or installing the elevators.

7)  I have the adjustable rudder pedal assemblies -- one each side.  They are 
nice units.  I'm not sure where else you can get these (probably the glioder 
community) and I bought them from Lancair.

8)  All reports are that Tim Ong's TK-5 dampers are a must-have.  John Spry 
makes a similar product.  However, the Legacy may have a different lading 
gear setup and this comment may be invalid.  There are no alternate sources 
for these unless you buy direct from the guys that designed them.  (Tim is 
building an ES, I believe, and is a regular contributor to the list.  But if 
he gets hit by a bus there won't be any more...)

9)  Get the tie downs.

10)  Decide what you want to do for wingtip lights.  If you want the clear 
wingtip lenses, buy two pair (one set as a spare).

11)  If the bracket kit does not come standard with the Legacy, then buy it.

12)  Cabin heat valve.  I originally complained about the cabin heat valve 
until Scott Krueger pointed out that I was going to connect it backwards.  
Now I'm happy with it.  It's not bad and smaller than what you can find 
elsewhere.

13)  Get the prefabbed NACA scoops and shark gills.

14)  Get the premolded instrument panel and dust cover.  You may also want to 
get the metal panel inserts, too, but if you're going to have the panel made 
up for you then they would provide this.

15)   I don't like to work with sheet metal, so I bought the prefab nose gear 
boot.  Don't know if this is included with the Legacy, or if it will even fit.

16)  You will need a Dukes fuel pump eventually.  Lancair has a good price 
but you can get this later.

17)  Get a baffling kit.

18)  And an exhaust system.  However, you will have to fit up the exhaust 
system to the engine to make sure it fits properly.  I sent mine back to 
Snowline for rework.  They did a great job making it fit but if I had waited 
three years to send it back I'm not sure what would have happened.  (However, 
I've had tremendous support from Lancair even when I did send back some 
incorrect parts five years later...)

19)  If you'll need a cowl scoop with your engine, get it now.  Actually, you 
may not be able to since these are one of those three-month lead time items.  
But at least you'll get it soon.

20)  Talk to the guys up there and find out how much prepreg panel (flat 
sheet stock) you will need, and buy that.

21)  Buy your avionics as late as possible.  Everything out there today will 
be obsolete by the time you fly.

22)  An engine.  If you are buying a new engine you'll get a big discount if 
you buy through Lancair.  However, you won't need it for a while.

I think that's about it.  You will find alternate sources for almost 
everything else in their catalog.  You may also find cheaper prices but you 
may not.  I ususally buy from Lancair if the cost is comparable since I have 
a vested interest in keeping the company strong.  Besides, their customer 
service is unparalleled -- just send an e-mail and your parts arrive quick 
(almost as fast as the bill...).  Be aware that they have a $500 limit now on 
purchases on account.  It's not really a problem but it's something to keep 
in mind.

Good luck.

- Rob Wolf
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>