Bob,

I’m doing some checking into this.  I’m over on the Olympic Peninsula and have a pretty fair knowledge of only IV and IVP drivers in Washington State.  That said I know at least one 320/360 owners and have sent out a request for an in with this group.  I know there are quite a few so we should be able to find someone to help.  Hope to be able to get some names for you soon.

Best,

John Barrett

I think it is a very good idea to help prevent an accident in the making! 

Not sure what assistance I can offer except to say that I transitioned from a fairly slick, high performance single (Mooney Ovation) to the Lancair Legacy and I NEEDED training.  Surprisingly, my insurance company didn’t require any type specific training in the Legacy before it would allow me to fly.  Nevertheless, I trained for several days with Josh Brungardt (good instructor and good guy) before I felt comfortable in the Legacy.  Even if you are an ace pilot (I am not) the systems and emergency procedures are all different from what you have been flying.  It is CRAZY to fly a new plane without training!

·         I met and talked to the man from S. Carolina (sorry - bad with names) who was killed in his Legacy when he took off with the canopy unlatched – preventable with proper training

·         I talked to the man from Pittsburgh who was killed (bad with names) in his fixed gear Legacy on the way into Oshkosh – preventable with proper training

·         I knew Harry League, who was a good guy and a careful builder.  His problem appears to have been of a different sort – still…..

Don’t want to read any more bad news.  GET TRAINING!!!!!

D. Brunner

Lancair Builders/Flyers,

The Lancair Owners & Builders Organization (LOBO) received the following email request for help. Rather than publish the personal details that may be a bit sensitive on the internet, I’ve deleted the names and contact information I have, but would be pleased to provide it directly to anyone who could offer some assistance. This request for help came from Wenatchee, WA (KEAT).

I am the President of our local EAA Chapter, and have been flying a Long-EZ I built, since 1986.  I know from a close friend with an O360 Lancair which he built and has flown for the last 15 years that Lancairs, at least the small tailed ones, require special care until one is familiar and practiced with their characteristics, especially when landing. 

I learned today of an older, orphan O-235 that is being prepped by a local A&P shop for its new owner.  The plane has sat idle in a hanger for at least four  years, but appears in generally good shape. The new owner has never flown it, and is not current in anything.  However, he says he has flown a 320 or 360 Lancair in the past.  

In the interest of ensuring the new owner does not have an early, preventable accident, can you recommend someone who can provide the A&P with a list of any special Lancair items to check on his reinspection, and someone else who can either check out the new owner in a different Lancair, or in his new one, provided the new owner is willing to accept some guidance from this person.

Many thanks for any help you can provide.