In 1984 Robert Nelson built the single-place, mid-wing canard monoplane Star Lance 1 registered N32286.

Power was a 35hp Cuyuna or optional 72hp Kawasaki.

Wingspan: 23’0″

Useful load: 280 lb
Cruise speed: 124 mph
Range: 620 mi
Seats: 1

In 1982 Martin Hollmann held one of his aircraft design classes in Santa Monica, CA. Six people attended including Lance Neibuaer. He asked Martin if there was a future in bringing to market a new, two place sport aircraft. Martin of course said “yes.” Two years later, Lance sent Martin a request to perform a stress analysis on his two place design and a check for $200. Richard Trickel offered to build the moulds for Lance’s aircraft at no cost. Richard had formed a composite fabrication company called High Tech Composites in Oxnard, CA. Lance moved to Santa Paula, CA based on Martin’s recommendations and rented a shop space that had been occupied by Jim Kern of Task Research. The new aircraft was powered by a Continental O-200 and Lance called his aircraft the Lancair 200. It had a cruise speed of 200 mph. Although the prototype was made of urethane and hot wire cut styrofoam and covered with wet layed up fiberglass, the production Lancair 200 kit parts were made of temperature cured, prepreg fiberglass and graphite parts. They were lighter and stronger than the epoxy, wet layed up, fiberglass parts used on most kits at that time.

Lance Neibauer sold his family home to pursue his dream of producing the perfect kit. At the time, only the prototype had flown but its performance on an O 235 engine was good. The Lancair 200 is a sleek two-place retractable with maximum level flight speed of 213 mph and 625 pound useful load, and 193 mph cruise. Comprising 27 premoulded, oven cured components, it can be put together in around 600 hours.

The structural integrity of the Lancair wing is said to be +9G and 4.5G ultimate at maximum all up weight (MAUW). This is achieved with an airframe in excess of 25 per cent lighter than similar aircraft built using different construction methods.

At Oshkosh 87 Lancair unveiled its new 320 model, powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320. This increased the cruise to 230 mph from the 235 models 210 mph. Kit prices in 1987 were $16,900 for the 235, and $18,500 for the 320.

When the NEICO “fast build kit” became available early 1990, popularity resulted in a one year waiting list. Two years in the development, the kit provides all major sub assemblies including the fuselage ex factory with a resultant saving of up to 700 hours by the builder.

In twelve years 400 kits had been sold using 108-180 hp.

Two models were available in 1990; the 118hp version with a fixed pitch propeller returns a 180 knot cruise on 75 per cent power while the Lancair 320, sporting a 160 hp Lycoming and constant speed unit, has a 210 knot cruise. The kit price was $18,950 (1987), and $23,200-28,900 in 1998. A kit was also available in carbon for $34,400 in 1998. The 320 is approved for aerobatics. The 320 replaced the 235.

The Lancair 360 has optional wingtip extensions that take the wing from its usual 7.2 m out to 8.3 m. The empty aircraft weighs in at 543 kg and is powered by a Lycoming IO-360-B1F engine behind an MTV-12-B/175-59d three-bladed propeller.

The Australasian market is provided for by licence built 235 and 320 kits manu¬factured by Avtex at Ballina on the NSW coast. The Australian company takes prospective builders step by step through the construction manual. Deposits for twenty eight Lancairs were held by the NSW company in 1990 which has the capacity to turn out one kit every ten days. Standard kits can be constructed in around 800 900 hours while the “fast build” comes together in as little as 200 300 hours.

Aviation Composite Technology / ACT in the Philippines was formed in 1990 to develop the Apache I military trainer from the Lancair 320. 1988 saw the first flight of a Lancair 320 assembled in the Philippines by Aviation Composite Technology (ACT) in a venture with Aerotech S.A. of Switzerland.

In 1991 in the Philippines, Pacific Aeronautical, the new name of ACT relocated to Cebu City started producing airframes for Lancair 320 and Lancair IV, the new higher-powered, four-seat version.

200
Engine Continental O-200, 100hp
Wingspan: 23’6″
Length: 19’8″
Useful load: 650 lb
Max speed: 210 mph
Cruise speed: 195 mph
Stall: 55 mph
Range: 1000 mi approx.
Seats: 2

235
Engine: Lycoming O-235 or -290, 100hp
Wingspan: 23’6″
Length: 20’0″
Useful load: 600 lb
ROC: 1300 fpm
Max speed: 160 kt / 225 mph
Vne: 235 kt.
Cruise: 140 kt / 210 mph
Stall: 55 mph
Range: 1000 mi approx.
Seats: 2
Kit price 1988: $19,975

320
Engine: Lycoming O-320, 160 hp
1987 (TC LC20)
Wingspan: 23’6″
Length: 21’0″
Useful load: 635 lb
Max speed: 250 mph
Cruise: 210 kt / 225 mph
Stall: 63 mph
Range: 1020-1250 mi
Seats: 2

360
Engine: Lycoming IO-360, 180 hp
HP range: 160-180
Speed max: 260 mph
Cruise: 235 mph
Range: 1140 sm
Stall: 63 mph
ROC: 1750 fpm
Take-off dist: 390 ft
Landing dist: 900 ft
Service ceiling: 18,000 ft
Fuel cap: 43 USG
Weight empty: 1090 lbs
Gross: 1685 lbs
Height: 6.5 ft
Length: 21 ft
Wing span: 23.5 ft
Wing area: 76 sq.ft
Seats: 2
Landing gear: retractable nose wheel

Lancair 360
Engine: Lycoming
Wing span: 7.16 m
Wing area: 6.99 sq.m
MAUW: 764 kg
Empty weight: 494 kg
Fuel capacity: 159 lt
Max speed: 418 kph
Cruise speed: 386 kph
Minimum speed: 101 kph
Climb rate: 13 m/s
Seats: 2
Kit price (1998): $27,950

360 Mk.II

A conventional four seat light single, the Freelance can fold its wings to slip into a space four metres by nine metres. The swing wing capability has enabled a lengthy 39 foot span wing, providing an aspect ratio of over nine. The higher the aspect ratio the less the induced drag; enabling the manufacturer to claim that the Freelance, weight for weight, burns less fuel generating its lift than all other aircraft in its class.

First flown in September 1984.

Powered by a 180hpLycoming, the Freelance offers a cruise on 75 percent power of 117.3 knots (135 mph), an 800 fpm rate of climb, a take-off run (to 50feet) of 1380feet (421 metres) and a landing run (from 50 feet) of 1120 feet (341 metres). Total useful load is 1050 lb. Equipped with large section tyres, the Freelance can operate from grass strips. A 100 United States gallon capacity detachable belly tank is available for the spray role.

Engine: Lycoming, 180 hp
Wing span: 39 ft
Cruise 75%: 117.3 kt (135 mph)
ROC: 800 fpm
Take-off run (to 50 ft): 1380feet (421 metres)
Landing run (from 50 ft): 1120 feet (341 metres)
Useful load: 1050 lb