GENERAL
Having constructed your Lancair from either
a standard or a Fast-Build kit, you are probably quite
knowledgeable of its general construction and physical
characteristics. Herein are included general systems de
-
scriptions applicable to all airplanes. Your system may
be slightly different if you have added your own “whis-
tles and bells” and an account should be made for them.
During construction you should make certain that any
modifications made are of aircraft quality.
AIRFRAME
Your Lancair is constructed of the highest qual
-
ity aircraft materials. Following the assembly manual
should cover most if not all your questions concerning
the various techniques and materials involved.
Materials
The Lancair IV is fabricated of high temperature
prepreg Carbon Fiber skins over a high temperature
Divinycell or Nomex Honeycomb core. With the ex-
ception of a few parts, all preformed parts are vacuum
bagged and oven cured at 250 Deg. F. at a pressure of
nearly 2000 lbs/sq. ft. These are similar to almost all
modern commercial transport construction methods and
materials meeting such standards regarding traceabili
-
ty and fire resistance, and the manufacturing facilities
equipment meet the FAA requirements. In addition,
the resin systems used are low in styrene and are safer
to handle and use than most other systems. Read and
comply with all material handling warnings.
FLIGHT CONTROLS
The Lancair IV is conventional in its control
configuration except for the side stick controls. Lan-
cair’s airfoils are a combination of NASA and NACA
designs with our own unique airfoils designed spe
-
cifically for the Lancair mission. All primary airfoils
are High-Laminar flow designs with noncritical char-
acteristics. This means that the airfoils are capable of
maintaining laminar flow over 50-60% of their chord,
generating greatly reduced drag. Should laminar flow
be lost due to surface contamination (i.e. bugs, etc.) no
dramatic loss of lift is incurred.
Trim Controls
The Lancair IV utilizes three axis electric trim.
The elevator and rudder tabs are built into the control
surface and the aileron tab is hinged on the trailing edge
of the left aileron. The three trim motors are made by
MAC Inc.
GROUND CONTROL
The Lancair IV is controlled on the ground
using differential braking to control the castering nose
gear. A little caution for the first few flights in the air-
craft is all that is required to get the feel of this simple
and light weight approach. Caution should be exercised
to not ride the brakes while taxiing, use only enough;
power to taxi at a brisk walking pace and try to only
use the brakes as necessary for steering. Under normal
conditions brakes are not needed for the take-off roll
once the power is applied, as rudder control becomes
effective above 25-30 kts.
