Lancair International Announces New Two-Seat Barracuda Aircraft Kit
Composite aircraft kit manufacturer Lancair International introduced a new airplane, the Barracuda, at the recent EAA AirVenture airshow in Wisconsin. The company describes the two-seat model as a “2/2/2 proposition,” meaning two seats, a 200-knot (370 kilometers per hour) cruise speed, and $200,000 price tag. Lancair says the Barracuda is a “little brother” to its four-place Mako aircraft, an experimental-category model that debuted at last year’s AirVenture.
A Sub-kits Approach
The complete $200,000 Barracuda kit will include the airframe, engine, propeller, and avionics. Lancair is notably making the kit available in component sub-kit groups so that builders can buy and complete each major section individually. The first kits are set for availability in the Q1 2019 time frame and additional kits are expected around Q3 2019. Lancair was taking positions for 2019 deliveries with a $1,000 deposit at AirVenture where it had a Barracuda prototype on display.
Founded in 1981 in Redmond, Oregon, before a 2017 acquisition moved the company to its current Uvalde, Texas, headquarters at the Garner Field Airport, Lancair offers a Builders Assist Program in Uvalde that helps buyers more quickly complete Lancair model builds.
Building On A Legacy
Featuring the fastest build time Lancair has ever offered, the Barracuda comes standard with a 210-horsepower Lycoming O-390-X four-cylinder engine, although other engine options will be available. The Barracuda will also include a “capable and affordable” avionics package, which Lancair usually bases on the Garmin G3X Touch and GTN-750 components. Other features include a carbon-based structure, EFII ignition system, Starflight modifications, Freon air conditioning, and full de-ice protection. Lancair says the Barracuda’s fuel consumption will range from 11 to 13 gallons (41.6 to 49.2 liters) per hour.
Lancair says the Barracuda’s “sleek design” resembles its Legacy model. Among the airframe improvements the Barracuda will include is a one-piece wing offering greater span. “The new wing makes aircraft handling more docile and significantly reduces build time,” says Lancair. Additionally, “the innovative ‘auto-retracting’ nose gear” borrowed from the Mako will add “10 to 12 knots to the aircraft's cruise speed by 'cleaning up' the turbulent slipstream behind the propeller.” A fully automatic retraction/extension system requiring no pilot input operates the nose gear.
You’ll find numerous used Lancair aircraft for sale every day on Controller.com.
Source: Lancair International
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