Aircraft overview

The Lancair 235 / 320 / 360 family is a series of two seat, low wing, retractable gear, composite kit aircraft developed by Lancair in the United States. The line grew from the early Lancair 200 design of the mid 1980s and became one of the defining high performance experimental amateur built aircraft families of its era. These aircraft matter because they brought molded composite construction, small frontal area and efficient aerodynamics to a segment traditionally occupied by metal trainers and tourers. For buyers, the important point is that each example is individually built, so condition, documentation and workmanship are as important as the model designation.

Performance & specifications

The differences between the three main versions are largely tied to engine choice and gross weight. The Lancair 235 typically uses the Lycoming O-235 of about 115 hp. The Lancair 320 is commonly fitted with a Lycoming O-320 of 150 to 160 hp, while the Lancair 360 usually carries a Lycoming O-360 or IO-360 of about 180 hp. Typical cruise speeds range from roughly 160 to 180 knots in a well built 235, around 190 to 205 knots in a 320 and about 200 to 220 knots in a 360, depending on propeller, engine, rigging and weight. Range is commonly in the 700 to 1,000 nautical mile class with appropriate fuel capacity and reserves. Useful load varies widely by build, often around 600 to 750 lb. Published ceilings are commonly in the high teens, but installed engine, propeller and operating limits should be verified for the individual aircraft.

Cabin & avionics

The cabin seats two side by side under a low canopy, with a sports car like seating position and limited baggage space compared with certified four seat touring aircraft. Entry, ventilation, noise level and shoulder room vary with canopy style and builder choices. Avionics are not standardized. Older aircraft may have analog flight instruments, basic navcom radios and a transponder. Updated examples may feature Garmin GNS or GTN navigators, Garmin or Dynon experimental glass displays, engine monitors, ADS-B equipment and two axis autopilots. Garmin Perspective and factory G1000 suites are not typical for this family.

Buying & value

Pre purchase evaluation should focus on builder records, logbooks, weight and balance data, flight test history, composite workmanship, landing gear condition, fuel system details, control rigging and engine installation quality. Inspect for repairs, delamination, canopy fit, gear door alignment and compliance with any applicable service information. Common upgrades include constant speed propellers, modern engine monitoring, IFR capable GPS, electronic flight displays, improved cooling and refined interior trim. The Lancair 235 / 320 / 360 usually sits in the used market as a fast, efficient experimental aircraft rather than a utility trainer. Current PlaneFox listing data shows an average asking price of about EUR 67,000, with examples ranging from roughly EUR 14,000 to EUR 118,000, reflecting large differences in engine, avionics, build quality and overall condition.