First flight for the Lancair Evolution

Lancair International, Inc. is pleased to announce the latest addition to its line of high performance aircraft kits the Evolution, has achieved first flight. The Evolution aircraft kit is the result of 3.5 years of engineering, research and development at Lancair to produce a more spacious aircraft that will meet all flight handling characteristics required by FAA Part 23, including a 61 knot stall speed, while maintaining the Lancair tradition of extraordinary high performance.

In addition, the Evolution provides a new level of safety to the experimental kit market by providing the BRS® parachute system, Energy absorbing seats, and the AmSafe Aviation® airbag seat belts for those customers who demand the latest in occupant safety!

The Evolution is powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A, which produces true airspeeds in excess of 385 mph, when coupled to the Hartzell four blade propeller, while consuming only 39 gallons of Jet A per hour.

The Evolution has a current empty prototype weight of 2,130 pounds, and an estimated completed flying weight of 2,300 pounds with paint and interior.

The Evolution aircraft can carry 146 gallons of Jet A, and still have a 1,000 pound payload after full fuel.

The Evolution is available with either a Chelton SV Pro 6 or Garmin G-900X EFIS equipped instrument panel as provided by Lancair Avionics.

Independent test pilot Len Fox, who's conducting initial flight evaluations called it "a successful first flight."