Thu, Oct 01, 2009
Stock Airplane Reaches Nearly 358 MPH
Reno racer Jeff Lavelle got the attention of spectators and
participants at the 2009 National Championship Air Races in Stead,
Nevada when he set a new speed record last week. Lavelle
scorched the course in his Glasair III to set a new Reno Sport
Class qualifying record of 357.683 MPH.
Lavelle's Glasair III is a factory stock airplane powered by a
twin turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540 engine developed by Grant
Semanskee of Snohomish, WA.
"Glasairs are known to be one of the best sportplanes on the
market - strong and fast - but I think it's now clear to everyone
that Glasairs are really fast!" Lavelle said after his recording
breaking flight.
Lavelle flies year round for both business and pleasure, though
never misses the chance to drop into the Reno Air Races with his
Glasair III to break some records.
"The Glasair III is amazingly versatile," Lavelle said. "It's
incredibly strong yet very comfortable. My turbo-III will
climb at over 3000 fpm and cruise at up to 340mph! I don't
know of any other sportplane that does so many things as well as
the Glasair III."
The Glasair was the first pre-molded composite aircraft kit ever
offered. To date more than 300 are flying in countries around the
world. The standard Glasair III can cruise in excess of 300
mph, while offering a range of more than 1200 nm with VFR
reserves.
The first Glasair flew in the late 1970's and the Glasair III is
latest version of the aircraft, the result of years of evolution in
airframe and engine technologies. The Glasair III kit is
manufactured by Glasair Aviation in Arlington, WA. The
company is also well known for making the Sportsman 2+2, a
four-seat, composite and metal general purpose airplane.
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