Lancair 320
Lancair International · USA · first flew 1987 · light aircraft
The Lancair 320 is a high-performance, side-by-side composite kit aircraft capable of speeds that rival certified touring aircraft. Its short, highly tapered wing and clean composite construction give it exceptional cruise efficiency.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | very small frontal area and smooth gel-coat fuselage finish |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- sleek composite low-wing with highly tapered elliptical-looking wing
- very small frontal area and smooth gel-coat fuselage finish
- retractable tricycle undercarriage with flush wheel fairings
The very short, steeply tapered wing, tiny fuselage cross-section, and high-gloss composite finish are unmistakable at altitude or on the ground.
Specifications
- The Lancair 320 has a length of 5.79 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.71 m (22 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Lance Neibauer designed the original Lancair 200 in the early 1980s, and the 320 variant arrived in 1987 with a Lycoming O-320 engine and refined aerodynamics. The design set new standards for kit aircraft performance and spurred a generation of composite homebuilt designs. Lancair International, latterly operating from Redmond, Oregon, went on to develop the turboprop Legacy.
Variants
The Lancair 360 replaced the 320 with a larger engine; the Lancair IV and IV-P extended the family to pressurised high-altitude variants.
Where you'll see it
Lancair 320s are found on the UK LAA permit register in small numbers, prized for their speed but demanding in build quality and pilot currency.
Related aircraft
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