LANCAIR 235 Model Guide
LANCAIR 235 · Model Guide
Overview
The LANCAIR 235 is a two-seat, side-by-side, composite amateur-built kit aircraft with retractable gear and a bubble canopy. It is powered by a Lycoming O-235 or O-290. At least 59 kits were produced. Completed used examples are listed at roughly $50,000 to $70,000, and each one is unique to its builder.
- It is Experimental-Amateur Built, so quality depends on the builder. Get an expert inspection before you buy.
- Lancairs are just over 3% of the amateur-built fleet but have over 10% of its fatal accidents (AOPA, as cited in the source).
- Completed LANCAIR 235s are listed at $50,000 to $70,000. They are rare and sell quickly.
- Get the original Airworthiness Certificate, Operating Limitations and builder manuals from the seller.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 47 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Length (ft) ·
- 20
- Wing tank (gal) ·
- 33
- Engine power (hp) ·
- 118
- Header tank (gal) ·
- 11
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 43
Performance
- Max speed (kt) ·
- 160
- Stall speed (kt) ·
- 55
- Cruise speed (kt) ·
- 140
- Rate of climb (fpm) ·
- 1,300
- Service ceiling (ft) ·
- 20,000
V-speeds
- STALL_SPEED_KTS ·
- 55
- STALL_SPEED_FLAPS_KTS ·
- 48
- NEVER_EXCEED_SPEED_KTS ·
- 235
Weight & balance
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 650
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 43
- Max gross weight (lb) ·
- 1,275
How many people does the LANCAIR 235 carry?
The LANCAIR 235 is a two-seat, side-by-side aircraft. The source lists one crew and one passenger, with a baggage hold behind the seats. Maximum gross weight is quoted as 1,275 pounds.
What does a LANCAIR 235 cost?
The source lists used, completed LANCAIR 235 aircraft at $50,000 to $70,000 and says they are rare and sell quickly. Another passage in the same source gives $40,000 to $70,000. The kit is out of production.
Is the LANCAIR 235 a safe buy?
The LANCAIR 235 is built by amateurs, so build quality varies. The source cites AOPA: Lancairs are just over 3% of the amateur-built fleet but have over 10% of its fatal accidents. Have an expert inspect it and train before flying.
What is the LANCAIR 235 Model Guide?
The LANCAIR 235 Model Guide is a model guide for the LANCAIR 235, dated 2026.
What year was the LANCAIR 235 Model Guide published?
The LANCAIR 235 Model Guide — the LANCAIR 235 model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Common. More common than 73% of the aircraft models we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the LANCAIR 235.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
LANCAIR 235 for sale now
Free — save the 235 to your watchlist and track it in one place.
More LANCAIR 235manuals & documents
If you fly the LANCAIR 235, you may also be researching these.
In this document
Performance and handling
Quoted figures: max speed 160 knots, cruise 140 knots, stall 55 knots, climb 1,300 feet/minute, ceiling 20,000 feet, range 1,000 miles. One NTSB-described airframe (118 hp O-235-L2C) quoted 182 knots cruise and stalls of 61 knots clean and 48 knots with flaps. Stalls and spins risk loss of control. Light weight and lack of sturdiness make landings difficult.
What to inspect: electrics and fuel
The NTSB-reviewed 235 relied on electric power for its fuel transfer pumps, propeller pitch, hydraulic gear pump and flaps. Wing tanks (33 gallons each) feed an 11 gallon header tank by electric pumps. The POH said not to take off with less than 8 gallons in the header tank. Check battery cables, connectors and the battery box for corrosion.
Ownership notes
Standard kits came with pilot-side rudder controls only. Right-side controls were an option, so check which the aircraft has. Rudder input is not normally required because of the differential ailerons. Keep a maintenance log. Insurance sources named include Gallagher, which is considered the most trustworthy, followed by the Lancair Owners and Builders Organization (LOBO).
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- The 2012 NTSB fatal accident followed flying with known electrical faults. Power loss stopped the fuel transfer pumps and the engine lost power.
- Stall or spin can cause loss of control. Get training before flying and keep current.
- Experimental kit aircraft lack factory certification, so have an expert inspect the workmanship.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
LANCAIR 235 Model Guide The LANCAIR 235 is a two-seat, side-by-side, composite amateur-built kit aircraft with retractable gear and a bubble canopy. It is powered by a Lycoming O-235 or O-290. At least 59 kits were produced. Completed used examples are listed at roughly $50,000 to $70,000, and each one is unique to its builder. • It is Experimental-Amateur Built, so quality depends on the builder. Get an expert inspection before you buy. • Lancairs are just over 3% of the amateur-built fleet but have over 10% of its fatal accidents (AOPA, as cited in the source). • Completed LANCAIR 235s are listed at $50,000 to $70,000. They are rare and sell quickly. • Get the original Airworthiness Certificate, Operating Limitations and builder manuals from the seller. Performance and handling Quoted figures: max speed 160 knots, cruise 140 knots, stall 55 knots, climb 1,300 feet/minute, ceiling 20,000 feet, range 1,000 miles. One NTSB-described airframe (118 hp O-235-L2C) quoted 182 knots cruise and stalls of 61 knots clean and 48 knots with flaps. Stalls and spins risk loss of control. Light weight and lack of sturdiness make landings difficult. What to inspect: electrics and fuel The NTSB-reviewed 235 relied on electric power for its fuel transfer pumps, propeller pitch, hydraulic gear pump and flaps. Wing tanks (33 gallons each) feed an 11 gallon header tank by electric pumps. The POH said not to take off with less than 8 gallons in the header tank. Check battery cables, connectors and the battery box for corrosion. Ownership notes Standard kits came with pilot-side rudder controls only. Right-side controls were an option, so check which the aircraft has. Rudder input is not normally required because of the differential ailerons. Keep a maintenance log. Insurance sources named include Gallagher, which is considered the most trustworthy, followed by the Lancair Owners and Builders Organization (LOBO). Safety notes: • The 2012 NTSB fatal accident followed flying with known electrical faults. Power loss stopped the fuel transfer pumps and the engine lost power. • Stall or spin can cause loss of control. Get training before flying and keep current. • Experimental kit aircraft lack factory certification, so have an expert inspect the workmanship.