I have been pondering Lorn’s commentary about how his 320 cannot be beat for efficient and cost effective cross country cruising. 

 

With oil probably permanently above $70-80/bbl and avgas at $5 a gallon, he makes an excellent point.  Efficiency (particularly cost efficiency) should be a key figure of merit. 

 

However, Lancair has gone upscale and offers only expensive, fire-breathing kit airplanes.   This list has noted that a Legacy starts at $200K completed, and works up. 

 

Has Lancair left a hole in the market place? 

 

If one could produce a relatively simple, fast and efficient lower cost kit for 320/360 engines, is there a currently untapped market? 

 

The most efficient cross country airplane I have found is the Dyn-Aero MCR Sporter which has one kit version (short wings) that carries two people at 160 knots on 100 Rotax horsepower – fixed gear no less.  But it lacks the sex and beauty of the Lancair family airplanes.  And we all know that airplanes have to be beautiful, particularly after all that labor.

 

Is it time to bring back the Lancair 320, upgraded, simpler, even slicker, and keep it inexpensive?

 

Ever curious Fred