We took off from Camarillo under calm, clear blue skies. The hillsides along the coast of Southern California displayed a panoply of colors — bright-green grasses mixed with expansive patches of purple, yellow and orange flowers. The last time I was in Camarillo in a Lancair Evolution, the airplane had a big Pratt & Whitney PT6A up front and the hills were brown. During this flight, it was not just the view that was significantly different.
We Fly: Lancair Evolution Piston
Key Takeaways:
- The Lancair Evolution now offers a piston-powered model with a 350 hp Lycoming iE2 engine, providing a more affordable entry point at approximately $895,000 ready-to-fly.
- A key advantage of the Evolution Piston is its design which allows owners to upgrade to a turbine engine later using the same airframe, offering a flexible ownership path.
- Despite being piston-powered, it delivers impressive performance, including high cruise speeds (223 knots true), excellent climb rates, pressurization, and exceptional long-range capabilities.
- As an Experimental category aircraft built through a supervised builder-assist program, it benefits from rapid modifications, continuous upgrades (e.g., rough service landing gear, BRS parachute), and extensive customization options.
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