The Lancair Evolition's first flight was last Friday. All went well for this all-composite speedster that weighs in at 2,300 pounds empty with a max cruise speed of 330 knots. How so fast you ask? That's because the Evolution is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT-6.
The flight lasted about 40 minutes with test pilot Len Fox at the controls. According to Lancair, the company is planning to have the Evolution at Sun n' Fun, which begins in less than two weeks. Hope they get that baby painted because it's not the prettiest aircraft and it doesn't look so hot in its current all white paint scheme.
Actually selling this aircraft, however, may prove more difficult than the first flight. The FAA has reassessed the rules that have governed kit-built aircraft for more than 20 years and, in doing so, has threaten technologically advanced aircraft such as the Evolution or any aircraft with composite pieces. The FAA is suggesting that home builders should do more of the parts fabrication themselves, rather than straight assembling pre-made parts, but Lancair and other kit manufacturers feel that specialized equipment and materials that go into the parts of a composite airframe are far beyond the scope and abilities of someone working in their home shop. The FAA has since put a moratorium on inspections of new kits to evaluate their conformity with the existing regs.
I'm not sure I see the FAA's motivation behind this potential change...unless they are wanting to drive kit based manufacturers off the map. Why would you want me to fabricate my own parts out of composite or fiberglass when there is someone much more qualified to do so. I would think I would be putting myself more at risk, as it's risky enough to build and fly your own aircraft when you are given most or all of the parts. Maybe the FAA is on a population control mission?
image credit: Lancair
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