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1. 11:01 AM - Optional Kits from Lancair (Bobby Freeman)
2. 02:05 PM - Re: Optional Kits from Lancair ()
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| Subject: | Optional Kits from Lancair |
I will start building my Legacy Kit at the factory Jan. 2008 and am
wondering if the optional kits from Legacy are good values. I am considering
the IO-550 (rebuilt 44K), Hydraulic and Fuel line kit ($3,200), and the
Engine Fast Build Kit (12K). Any thoughts??
Thanks, Bobby
Message 2
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| Subject: | Optional Kits from Lancair |
lots of thoughts :)
Bobby,
Short background...
I started my kit build in March of this year. I spent 2 weeks at the
factory.
Synopsis..
Lancair kits are well designed and well thought out. You will sometimes
suffer from parts shortages because of vendor issues, but they work very
hard and always produce a fine product. As noted you will pay a premium
price for their goods, but rest assured, they will fulfill the order.
Every time you need something they will have it right there, you just
need to write a check.
That said, there is a bit of reality when building a composite airplane.
1. If you don't plan to finish the airplane there in the prescribed 10
weeks, don't be in a hurry to spend your money. There is so much to
building a Legacy you can work for a year or more and never spend a dime
on more than the kit and some basic supplies etc. If that is the case,
hold off on ordering the extras that will just sit around in your garage
for a long time collecting rust and dust. Leave your money where it can
work for you.
2. Starting a kit build is very exciting and naturally you want
everything done yesterday. For good reason it does not happen that way.
As you learn to work as they do you will discover things you need and
don't need. After six months you may even find that the same fuel line
can be bought at NAPA or from any number of web vendors at more
competitive prices. I have even discovered that there are better ways
than those prescribed in the plans. Lancair may also offer alternatives
to problem/solutions.
3. If you are flush with green and want this thing done before cinco de
Mayo day, then stay at the factory and buy their package (they will even
install it for you almost free because the labor is sort of built into
the price and of course because they are nice people).
4. The day you leave the factory your productivity will drop by about
1000%. You just can't keep that pace up on your own. Therefore ordering
lots of things in advance is just like buying inventory to sit on the
shelf.
5. Here is one option you will need to buy sooner than later. They will
provide you with 2 very nice hardware kits which have one of each
nut/bolt/washer you will need. The catch is not every hole in the design
fits with every bolt in the box. Be sure you have two more of everything
and buy sizes one up and down from what they give you. You will find
your requirements will vary. It is also good to go to your hardware
store and spend $50 on a lot of similarly sized nuts and bolts to use
temporarily until you are sure you are ready to lock that bolt down and
torque paint it - no going back (mentally anyway).
6. Keep your hardware well organized while working at the factory. That
stuff walks away like you wouldn't imagine. When I was there they had
4-5 Legacy project going at once - man there is people and machinery
flying everywhere.
If Chris is still there request he is part of your team. He is a real
detail person. You want Jeff to assist with your frame alignment and
stub wing installation. That's his specialty. The shop tends to have a
fairly high turnover, so lol. When I was there they had 3 Philippine
interns which were fantastic at plastic work. Hopefully you will be so
lucky .
Hope that helps.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-lancair-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-lancair-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bobby
Freeman
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2007 1:59 PM
To: lancair-list@matronics.com
Subject: Lancair-List: Optional Kits from Lancair
I will start building my Legacy Kit at the factory Jan. 2008 and
am wondering if the optional kits from Legacy are good values. I am
considering the IO-550 (rebuilt 44K), Hydraulic and Fuel line kit
($3,200), and the Engine Fast Build Kit (12K). Any thoughts??
Thanks, Bobby
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