Lancair Evolution

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Lancair Evolution
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Role Kit aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Lancair
First flight 21 March 2008
Introduction July 2009
Status Kits in production since July 2008
Number built 1 piston Evolution (2011)[1]
15 turbine Evolutions (2011)[1]
Unit cost
US$950,000 - US$1.25m (completed turbine-powered aircraft, 2011)

The Lancair Evolution is an American pressurized, low wing, four-place, single engine light aircraft, made from carbon fiber composite, developed by Lancair and available as an amateur-built kit.[1][2][3]

The Evolution can be powered by a Lycoming TEO-540-A piston engine or a Pratt & Whitney PT6-135A turboprop powerplant.[1][2][3][4][5]

Development

The Evolution was designed to meet the same FAR Part 23 aircraft certification standards that type certified aircraft comply with. The kit includes energy absorbing seats.[2]

The aircraft is pressurized and was designed for a 6.5 psi (0.45 bar) differential pressure, giving an 8,000 ft (2,438 m) cabin pressure at its maximum altitude of 28,000 ft (8,534 m).[6]

The turbine version of the Evolution is powered by the 750 hp (559 kW) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A and has a maximum cruise of 300 kn (556 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m) on a fuel burn of 39 US gal (148 L) per hour of Jet-A. Cruising at an economy cruise of 270 kn (500 km/h) at 28,000 ft (8,534 m) it burns 23 US gal (87 L) per hour. It has a full-fuel payload of 837 lb (380 kg) and a 61 kn (113 km/h) flaps-down stall speed.[5]

The piston version is powered by a Lycoming TEO-540-A2A engine and has a maximum cruising speed of 270 kn (500 km/h) on a fuel burn of 22 US gal (83 L) per hour of avgas. At an economy cruise speed of 240 kn (444 km/h) the fuel flow is 17.5 US gal (66 L) per hour. It has a full-fuel payload of 773 lb (351 kg) and a 61 kn (113 km/h) flaps-down stall speed.[4] A second piston variant was introduced in April 2016, powered by a Lycoming iE2 engine of 350 hp (261 kW).[7]

The first customer kit was delivered on 22 July 2008 and production was planned at that time for two kits per month.[8] By December 2011 one piston model and 15 turbine models had been completed and flown. Construction time from the supplied kit is estimated as 1000 hours.[1]

Specifications (Evolution with PT6)

File:LancairEvolutionPanel.jpg
Evolution instrument panel

Data from Lancair and Kitplanes[1][5][9]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: three passengers
  • Length: 30 ft (9.1 m)
  • Wingspan: 37 ft (11 m)
  • Height: 10 ft (3.0 m)
  • Wing area: 132 sq ft (12.3 m2)
  • Empty weight: 2,350 lb (1,066 kg)
  • Gross weight: 4,350 lb (1,973 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 168 U.S. gallons (640 L; 140 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A turboprop aircraft engine, 750 hp (560 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 219 mph; 352 km/h (190 kn) maximum cruise speed (indicated airspeed)
  • Cruising speed: 345 mph; 556 km/h (300 kn) true airspeed
  • Stall speed: 70 mph; 113 km/h (61 kn) flaps down
  • Never exceed speed: 295 mph; 474 km/h (256 kn) indicated airspeed
  • Range: 1,304 mi; 2,098 km (1,133 nmi) at maximum cruise speed
  • Service ceiling: 28,000 ft (8,534 m) limited by RVSM
  • Rate of climb: 4,000 ft/min (20 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 33.0 lb/sq ft (161 kg/m2)

Related Aircraft

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 58. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
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  3. 3.0 3.1 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 106. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
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External links