In Both Piston and Turbine Iterations, The Legend Was... Well, Legendary

By Tom Woodward

The Turbine Legend, originally called the Legend because the prototype was powered by a 575 HP Chevy Engine, first flew in 1996 and was built by Performance Aircraft. In 1999, the Legend was re-engined with a Walther M601 turbine of 724 shp and thus became the Turbine Legend. The Turbine Legend is a low wing, two passenger, tandem seat, retractable gear aircraft with a rearward opening, hinged canopy.

The Turbine Legend was sold as a kit with an estimated build time of 6000 hours and many were professionally built. The company has changed hands a few times, but the company now handling the sales is PM Sports Fliers in Washington State, partnering with Innovative Wings in Calgary, Alberta as the authorized builder, and Tiger Composite in Florida as their composite specialist. You can again get it with a GM V8 (550-800 hp), or either the Garrett or Pratt turbine engine. The Legend can cruise at 18,000 feet at 250-275 kts and can climb at 6500 fpm at 140 IAS, truly an eye-watering speed as homebuilts go.

Friend and fellow aviator John McComas has an earlier  model Turbine Legend, one of only 30+ registered with the FAA.

John told me, "I liked the concept of high and fast. The Legend  is more efficient in distance, in miles per gallon than my Bonanza, or at least on par. I burn 28 gph going 270 knots at 25,000 feet." Twenty five thousand feet is the limit due to his non-pressurized oxygen system. He can carry two people and full fuel, and all the bags he can cram in it.

"I expanded it from what the design was, so I have a larger baggage area," John said. Some things on the engine John can do himself, like adjusting the fuel control, replacing thermocouples, etc. but he has his annuals done at Turbine Technology in Florida and they run him about $1400. Quite reasonable for the complexity of the airplane. John has a virtually new re-manned engine on his ship and states this about the TBO on the hot section, "I'll be in a box and gone before I have to do that". The Walther has been reliable and is used on various commercial aircraft in Europe. Re-manned engines run about 85K with fuel a control unit.

Insurance companies require a certain amount of time with a qualified pilot before setting you free to solo, and require you to take a yearly IPC check. John installed a full Garmin G3X and the Avidyne 540 suite with a Garmin autopilot which gives him all weather capabilities.

With PM Sports Fliers, you can currently save $50,000 on the fast built kit priced at $199,000 plus engine, avionics, and finishing. Expect 75-90K for the piston engine and 200-250K for the turbine.

Go high, Go fast, Go Legend!

FMI: www.Legendaircraft.ca