Aircraft overview

The Lancair ES / Super ES is a four-seat, fixed-gear, composite kit aircraft developed by Lancair International for the experimental amateur-built market. The ES appeared in the 1990s as a simpler, non-retractable alternative to Lancair’s high-performance four-seat designs, retaining a sleek composite airframe while reducing systems complexity. The Super ES followed as an improved version with refinements aimed at higher gross weight capability, more robust landing gear and better utility. Its significance for buyers is its unusual combination of fixed-gear operating simplicity, four-place seating and performance closer to many retractable-gear piston singles.

Performance & specifications

Most Lancair ES / Super ES aircraft are powered by six-cylinder Continental IO-550 engines, commonly rated at 300 to 310 hp, although exact installations vary because these aircraft are amateur-built. Typical cruise speeds for well-built examples are often in the 180 to 200 knot range, depending on engine, propeller, weight, rigging and operating altitude. Range is commonly reported around 900 to 1,100 nautical miles with appropriate fuel and power settings. Useful load varies substantially by individual build, but many aircraft fall in the roughly 1,100 to 1,300 lb class. Published service ceiling figures are generally around 18,000 feet for normally aspirated examples.

Cabin & avionics

The cabin is arranged for four occupants with two front seats and a rear bench or two rear seating positions, depending on the interior configuration. Compared with two-seat Lancair models, the ES / Super ES offers a broader mission profile for personal transportation, family flying and cross-country travel. Cabin finish, ventilation, baggage accommodation, seat design and noise treatment can differ widely between aircraft. Avionics are not standardized. Used examples may have older round-gauge panels, Garmin GNS or GTN navigators, Garmin G3X, Dynon or Advanced Flight Systems glass panels, engine monitors and a range of autopilot installations. Garmin Perspective and factory G1000 suites are not typical for Lancair ES / Super ES kitbuilt aircraft.

Buying & value

Evaluation should focus on build quality, documentation, weight and balance, engine installation, cooling, fuel system details, landing gear condition, control rigging and compliance with applicable service information. A thorough pre-buy inspection by a shop familiar with Lancair composite aircraft is especially important. Buyers should distinguish the ES / Super ES from retractable Lancair IV series aircraft and from certified Columbia or Cessna 350 aircraft, which share some design lineage but are different products. Desirable upgrades often include modern IFR avionics, a capable autopilot, updated engine monitoring, recent propeller work and documented composite repairs. In the used market, the Lancair ES / Super ES typically appeals to buyers seeking experimental-category speed and efficiency with fixed-gear simplicity.