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<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
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Gentlemen:
A worthwhile read is the April issue of Private Pilot which showcases the
L-IVPT. It has a number of worthwhile statistics observed in a flight test
by the author. It claims among other things:
1) Hard costs of Kit, Engine, Avionics, paint and interior $220,000
2) Range 1150 SM
I ran a few numbers using the observed fuel flows and performance which were
recorded by the author and noted the following;
Assuming the following numbers:
10 gal for engine start and taxi (my guess since I plan 7 gal in a piston IVP)
14 gal for a 15 min climb to 17,500 ft@ 180 Kts/3300 FPM burning 54 GPH
68 gal for a 1.7 hr cruise @ 312 kts burning 40 GPH
10 gal for a descent @ 250 kts burning 20 GPH (my speed est since thats the
law below 10,000 MSL)
20 gal for reserve (only 1/2 hr @ cruise power)
My calculations show an effective range of only 635 NM
This assumes of course:
a) You can get 122 gal in the Lancair (anyone know how they do
that...extended wet area in the wings or a belly tank are rumors I have heard)
b) ATC Gives you an unrestricted climb as they suggested to FL180
Still the article raises some intersting questions such as:
1) How can you possibly buy all the materials to build a Lancair IVPT for
$220,000 when the kit ($102,900), Engine ($85,000), Interior (+/- $10,000),
Paint (+/- $10,000) and Prop ($10,000) alone add up to $217,900? This would
only leave you $2,100 for avionics and engine instruments?
2) Why after nearly a year having elapsed since first flight is the factory
plane still un-pressurized? (See Private Pilot article pg 52, pgh3) Is
there some problem in obtaining bleed air for the pressurization system?
CONCLUSION:
Hey there is no doubt that a turbine powered Lancair IV is just about the
coolest idea this side of a wife who is a deaf mute with a Billion Dollar
trust fund.
However, I would really like to hear from the guys on the list who are either
building one or better yet have one flying the real story.
Climbout at 3400 FPM and rocketing along at 312 KTS sounds great....but is it
real????
Dave Riggs
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LML website: http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore
assist with the management of the LML.
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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