Tue, Jul 27, 2004
As Oshkosh 2004 got off to a rousing
start, the folks at the Lancair Company boasted (justifiably) that
it has already delivered 15 of their speedy new four seaters. And
this just in the few months since their first delivery in Lakeland
last April.
"Demand for the Columbia 400 has been strong since we announced
the model several years ago and it has intensified since the
certification," said Lancair President Bing Lantis. "Possibly more
exciting, however, is that our production rate is picking up each
week and we're delivering Columbia 400s at a great pace."
When it earned its TC a few months ago, the Columbia 400
apparently became the fastest certified piston powered aircraft in
production with a cruise speed of 235 knots at 25000 feet.
According to the Lancair gang, though, the most notable feature of
this bird, as reported by new owners, is the low speed behavior
it's been exhibiting in their hands.
"People who buy Columbia 400s expect them to be fast, and
they're definitely not disappointed," says Lantis. "But what we
hear the most about is the aircraft's docile and predictable
handling in the slow-flight regime. It's an airplane that let's you
have your cake and eat it, too."
Lancair Sales boss Rich Belzer also
notes that despite the hot sales boasted by the 400, that interest
in the normally aspirated Columbia 350 remains strong. "The
Columbia 400 is an evolution of the Columbia 350 and both share a
lot of the inherent goodness," according to Belzer. "We're
currently producing both 350s and 400s on the line and finding no
shortage of pilots looking for the unique qualities that each have
to offer."
In light of this demand, Lancair is getting ready to finish the
a multi-million capital improvement program that will not only
expand manufacturing space, but also add additional tooling.
Ultimately; the expansion program is expected to allow the company
to ramp up production to one each business day, an objective that
they hope to reach by the end of 2004.
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