Lancair has launched two new kitplanes and says there are signs that consumer confidence is returning to the owner-flyer market.
Both new types, the $94,900 ES-P (pressurised) and $77,800 ES-2 (two door) models are variants of the existing one-door ES Fastbuild kit. The ES-P is powered by the 310hp (230kW) Teledyne Continental TSIO-550C which offers a cruise speed of 255kt (470km/h) at 24,000ft (7,320m) and a range of 1,930km (1,045nm). Fuel capacity is up by 38 litres (10USgal) to 400 litres and the gross weight by 90kg to 1,600kg.
The Redmond, Oregon-based manufacturer expects deliveries of its kitplane family, which also includes the Legacy, PropJet, Sentry and IV/IVP types, to rise this year from 75 to 85 aircraft. Kim Lorentzen, Lancair sales manager, says a marketing effort is planned with the aircraft set to be pushed at major general avation shows, including next month's Experimental Aircraft Association's Sun 'n Fun fly-in in Lakeland, Florida.
Lorentzen says Lancair is also eyeing new markets for its kitplanes such as homeland security, and hopes to build on its contract with the Mexican navy, which operates nine Lancair types as trainers.
Source: Flight International
