<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>
In a message dated 8/23/00 1:19:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
winterland@rkymtnhi.com (Andy) writes:

<< Regarding (Lancair IV/IV-P) kit quality:  Can someone assess the overall
qualities of what is
 delivered from the factory. It seems like I've been reading a lot of
 "doesn't fit" problems. These are things I became accustomed too with my
 $15,000 RV and most were easily rectified. However with a $120,000 Lancair,
 I'd like to expect more, especially in an airframe which requires such
 higher tolerances.  >>

Andy,
Three of us shook hands to build three Lancair IV-Ps together as a team in
the fall of 1998. We took delivery last year (one in the spring and two in
September) and are approximately 20-25% complete. Percent of completion is
very difficult to estimate at this time, but progress is steady and very
personally rewarding. None of us have built an airplane before, so the
following assessment comes only from a career as a USAF aviator, a study of
alternative kits/plans-built planes and hands-on experience with three
Lancair kits.

The IV-P kit components are absolutely top quality. Workmanship on completed
sub assemblies and components, both composite structural parts and other
fabricated components (e.g. the nose and main gear assemblies) is as good as
I've seen in any commercial/military aircraft facility. Having said that,
this is not a swing set with "some assembly required" but a complex,
pressurized, turbocharged, aircraft that definitely is not "simply bolt
together and go fly." I chose to answer your question about kit quality
because I have recently passed on information via this forum to alert and
assist other builders to specific problems I encountered during construction.
These would not have been problems for more experienced or careful
builders--I followed instructions without checking or understanding the
consequences--and therefore failed to recognize that component improvements
had been made that required minor deviations from the extensive construction
manuals/plans. One should expect accurate and concise assembly instructions,
but I believe that Lancair has done an impressive job in this area, and when
I put the minor "deviations" in the context of the overall kit and
instruction set, they are insignificant. You'll need to go through the
manuals yourself to form your own opinion--a $600 investment I made before
deciding to buy the kit that I'd recommend to you if you have any questions
here!

As to tolerances, a general observation is that the kit requires measurement
and assembly to the nearest 1/8th inch for most general airframe (composite)
work, and much better for some components. The component parts provided meet
or exceed the required tolerances; installing them where and how specified is
a significant challenge in some cases; it is definitely not a case of
unwrapping and bolting in place! That for us has been one of the true
challenges and rewards of building a Lancair. Specifically, without altering
the structure or basic design, there are many opportunities to improvise
better components. This has also been a source of great satisfaction and
pride of accomplishment.

Lastly, none of us have build a metal airplane, but from watching others (we
have an RV-8 being built in our shop) errors and fit problems are more easily
corrected in a composite plane than an aluminum one. To be sure, it is
possible to render even the best built components useless (did you hear about
the builder who over-pressurized his wing tanks while testing them?), and
some errors require simple replacement, composite assembly is generally far
more forgiving and capable of rebuild/repair.

This is longer than I intended, but I think you get the message that we are
very happy with our decisions to build IV-P (at least to date) and would only
wish for a more reliable engine option! As we don't need them for a couple of
years, we worketh like hell while we waiteth. Glad to talk to you directly if
desired. Call me in Arlington, VA

Robert R (Bob) Pastusek
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>