| Scott --
With all respect, you don't get to vote.
If Lancair was making money hand over fist on the IVP, do you really think they would abandon that product line?
I love my IVP and think it is the most beautiful plane in the world -- by far. I love to fly it. And I plan to fly for many years to come.
But if you want to resurrect the Lancair IVP line, bring a detailed business plan and tens of millions of dollars. Otherwise, it's dead. Lets not kid ourselves.
The IVP has some serious aerodynamic problems and isn't your father's Olsmobile. Not everyone should fly it. If you stall it the pattern you will not recover.
And it's heavier than it should be. And it balloons up and cracks after numerous pressurizations.
And the kit parts never did fit. It is too hard to put together. The molds were hand made, and are now worn now so too much sanding is required to finish it up nicely.
And the cockpit is a little tight. And etc. and etc.
And, because of the crash rate, insurance will continue to be a problem. Expensive if even available.
In a perfect world, and because we love them, the IVP could be brought up to "state-of-kit-plane-manufacturing-art," made ever-so-slightly bigger, as well as lighter, with parts from new computer designed molds that snapped together quickly to make a great plane (much like the parts of the Evolution come together).
But that would essentially be creating a new airplane, which would take a lot of cash.
Lancair has to do what it has to do to stay in business. If they can't make money selling the IVP because of some of the issues above, then they need to sell Legacys and Evolutions to keep the lights on.
Respectfully,
John Hafen IVP 413AJ 250 hours
On Aug 11, 2010, at 4:21 PM, Scott E Keighan wrote: I agree with Fredrick, The non P is a wonderful airplane and cannot be beat. I could not believe that Lancair would stop selling such a fine airplane. Not everyone wants or can afford an evolution but still likes a retract that is resonably priced. I vote to bring the IV back into the active lineup. I love the plane and it does give great performance. Buf to Melborne FL in 4hrs 15min at 16,000 burning 12.3gph. Average speed of 215kts. Scott Keighan LIV non P, 130hrs
To: lml@lancaironline.netDate: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:24:45 -0400 From: frederickmoreno@bigpond.comSubject: [LML] Builders' advice to the Lancair Factory George wrote “If you agree with me I urge you to lobby the "powers to be " at Lancair to get the 4-P's back in their promotional and advertising schemes.” It is good for the Lancair community to make their concerns and recommendations heard to the new management at Lancair. Some clarifying statements about continuing production and support of all the currently-produced aircraft would be most welcome. Let me make the case for the “plain vanilla” Lancair IV, non-turbo, non-pressurized which normally resides in the shadow of the P versions. It is a truly unique aircraft, totally unappreciated by many. I recognize the “plain vanilla” version may not scratch the primal urge itch to go FASTER!, HIGHER!, FASTER!, HIGHER! But setting primal urges aside, consider the following for the non-turbo non-P Lancair IV · 65% LOP cruise speed at 8500 of 220+ knots on 13 gallons per hour, the same speed as a Piper Malibu at 25,000 feet at less than one third of the price and two thirds the fuel flow. · 50 knots faster than a new Cirrus SR-22 at one half the price. · Empty weight of 1980 pounds meaning you can put 700 pounds in the cabin and full fuel, takeoff weight of about 3200 pounds, and maintain good runway and climb performance while getting 1300 NM range with reserves. · Transcontinental, one day, one stop. · Fuel costs, maintenance costs, maintenance reserve, and insurance costs are all at least 30% below the piston P versions. · Above 160 knots IAS, the plain vanilla LIV has lower drag and thus lower fuel flow than an RV-6! And carries twice as many people while doing it. · 95% of the speed of the Legacy with the same engine, but with four people on board. The 5% speed deficiency costs about three minutes per hour. Like the IVP, the plain vanilla IV is in a class by itself in terms of performance, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. There is a market for this package of benefits that compliments the market for HIGHER and FASTER provided by the P versions. It is overlooked too often, but makes a lot of sense for old retired guys like me that like to watch the landscape pass by close enough to be interesting. I have flown the flight levels, and find them boring. Fred Moreno
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