Writer

Amy Laboda

Kevin Eldredge, director of business development for Lancair, is understandably excited about his company’s newest airplane—a Lycoming TEO-540-EXP iE2-powered Evolution sitting at Lancair's Sun 'n' Fun 2016 booth ready for delivery today to the company’s first customer for the product, Dr. Allen Anderson. The engine enables the pressurized aircraft to cruise comfortably above FL180 burning barely 12 gallons per hour of avgas (it is unleaded fuel-ready) at 232 knots true airspeed for 1,800 nm. Useful load on the airplane on display is an impressive 1,900 pounds. Anderson's airplane even has a custom potty on board.

 


“Lancair has been selling the Evolution since 2009, and we’ve got 70 sold, with 62 flown,” he told AIN. “We’ve got well over a thousand qualified potential buyers for the Evolution, but many are stopped by the turbine price point,” he continued. The price point on the piston-powered Evolution is significantly lower than on the turbine version, which was running upwards of $1.5 million, finished. The piston Evolution is $410,000 for a kit, including the two-week builder’s assistance program at Lancair in Oregon. At the end of that period major assemblies are complete and the aircraft is on its own wheels.

 


“It [the piston Evolution] is running $650,000 out of pocket in its entirety with engine, kit, bolt in panel and more,” he said. The company is currently scheduling builders into its assistance center in August 2016 and beyond.

 


The Fadec-equipped Lycoming-powered version is simple to operate, according to Eldredge. “Push a button. It always starts. Pull the power back and it finds the best power/best economy setting on its own,” he said. “Honestly, the biggest benefit? When I push it hard it is really cool to see the engine shift its sequential fuel injection—the EGTs move around on their own to keep each cylinder cool. I can’t really break it.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Lancair Ready To Hand Over First Piston Evolution 

The Lycoming TEO-540-EXP iE2-powered Evolution can cruise comfortably above Flight Level 180 at 232 ktas for 1,800 nm.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

Curt Epstein

Some models are seeing high demand, others not so much

Broker: Preowned Cessna Citation Market Remains Mixed

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

French start-up's new headquarters is located at Rochefort Airport

VoltAero Opens Assembly Facility for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft

Sun 'n Fun 2016

More In Aircraft