Lancair IV
Lancair International · USA · first flew 1990 · light aircraft
The Lancair IV is a high-performance four-seat composite homebuilt aircraft capable of speeds approaching 300 knots, making it one of the fastest piston-powered kit aircraft ever offered.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.01 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Very-high-performance four-seat composite kit aircraft with retractable gear
- T-tail with the horizontal stabiliser atop the fin
- Exceptionally clean low wing with faired retractable tricycle undercarriage
Remarkably sleek composite airframe with very thin laminar-flow wings. The T-tail is a dominant recognition feature. Retractable tricycle gear with small fairings. Compared with production light aircraft, the Lancair IV has a much more refined, aerodynamically optimised profile with minimal protrusions. The broad, well-glazed four-seat canopy extends well aft of the wing leading edge.
Specifications
- The Lancair IV has a length of 7.01 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.69 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 567 km/h (352 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 3 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Lancair (Lance Neibauer's company) developed the IV as a scaled-up, pressurised-capable version of the earlier two-seat Lancair designs. The prototype flew in 1990 and the kit became available to amateur builders. The turbocharged and turboprop versions pushed performance even higher. A certified derivative became the Columbia 300 series (later Cessna Corvalis).
Variants
Lancair IV (normally aspirated), Lancair IVP (pressurised), Lancair IV-P turboprop; the Columbia 300/400 and Cessna TTx are type-certified derivatives.
Where you'll see it
Popular with experienced amateur builders in the USA and internationally; the type holds numerous speed records in its class.
Related aircraft
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