Lancair Legacy

Click on the link below to read the astounding results of applying Stolspeed VGs to a Lancair Legacy. Testing done by Viktor Strausak in Switzerland. Viktor is very experienced at testing Stolspeed VGs on several aircraft. He really knows what he’s doing.

Results of flight testing for Lancair Legacy

I was impressed and enthusiastic about the success; my expectations were far exceeded. The airplane has always been well-behaved and controllable in stall, and the ailerons always remained effective. We were able to reduce the stall speed by up to 15 kt (–22%), and this with full aileron control.

The touchdown speed of 80 kt without VGs became 55 to 60 kt.
A reduction of 20 to 25 kt (–30%). The landing distance was massively reduced to less than 400 m.

Changes with VGs:

• Rotate before 60 kt at the start and initially climb with 65 kt.

• Takeoff roll distance now about 300 m.

• Without VGs, the plane was not steerable below 80 kt.

As a feeling, the rate of climb increased by about 200 ft/min, and the cruise speed remained unchanged. These values still have to be verified.

For me, the Lancair Legacy modified with VGs has become a very pleasant and easy-to-fly aircraft, which can be operated from relatively short runways without any problems. So this Lancair has become a "normal" aircraft, which is much easier to fly than, for example, a Kitfox with a tailwheel (takeoff and landing).

I hope that as many Lancair pilots as possible will use our experience to make their Lancair Legacy a “real” and safe aircraft.

Position of the VGs:

• Front edge of the VGs set at 7% of the wing depth. Distance inner wing 90 mm.

• Outer wing forward of the ailerons at 50 mm distance.

• The angle is always 15 degrees off the airstream, alternating left and right when viewed in flight direction.

• Set the VGs on the outer wing with its 7-degree trapezoid also at 15 degrees off the airstream.

• Underside of the elevator 100 mm in front of the hingeline, spacing 30 mm, at 15 degrees off the airstream.

Approximate Changes by the VGs:

• Approach speed 65 kt, –25 kt (–27%)

• Landing speed 60 kt, –20 kt (–25%)

• Start roll now approximately 300 m

• Landing roll much shorter than before, under 400 m

• Stall speed up to 15 kt (–22%) lower

• The aircraft always remains controllable with very good handling in stall

My recommendations on how to equip and fly a Lancair with VGs:

Every pilot has to test and fly these values with his own plane at his own risk.

• Start: At 58 kt, rotate controlled and fine, then climb with 65 kt at the beginning. To prevent any over-rotation at takeoff, set the trim slightly nose-down for the light 210 hp engine.

• Landing: Downwind clean at 90 kt. Base gear and flaps down speed initially at 75 kt. Stabilized final at 65 kt; with training, in short final even 60 kt is possible. Landing distance under 400 m.

• Viktor, Switzerland