This 2004 Lancair ES Is an ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick for Kit-Built Enthusiasts

The experimental composite four-seater evolved into the Cessna TTX.

The Lancair ES bears a family resemblance to Columbia 350 and Cessna TTX models. [Courtesy: Roxanne Zavala]

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Lancair’s products have long been examples of kit-built aircraft done right, especially for customers looking for the same basic qualities and capabilities found in certified models. From the first Lancair 200 that debuted at Oshkosh in 1985 to this ES, founder Lance Neibauer had a good feel for what builders wanted in an airplane kit project, and delivered.

If the ES looks familiar, it probably is because the aircraft evolved into the certified Columbia 300 and 350 and later, following Cessna’s acquisition, the TTX. The ES, its successors, and competition reflect the state of general aviation during the 1990s, when NASA rolled out its  Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments (AGATE) program to spur interest and advancement in GA transportation. The same program helped drive development of rival and eventual winner Cirrus. Still, the ES and its later certified relatives have a devoted following, especially among pilots who value cross-country speed.

This 2004 Lancair ES has 380 hours on the airframe, Lycoming IO-540-EXP engine, and Hartzell Scimitar propeller. The panel includes a Garmin G3X Touch display with SiriusXM receiver, GEA 24 engine indication system, GMC 307 3-axis autopilot, heated pitot and AOA probe, GMA 245 audio panel, GTN 750 GPS nav/com, and GTX 45 transponder.

Pilots looking for the practicality of four seats in a kit-built aircraft that typically will outperform similar certified designs, should consider this 2004 Lancair ES, which is available for $349,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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