As a plain vanilla LIV builder I completely endorse your comments. Thanks for taking the time to say it.

 

 

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