The Lancair Tigress was an American homebuilt aircraft that was designed by Lance Neibauer and intended for production by LancairofRedmond, Oregon. Introduced in mid-late 1990s, it was essentially a Lancair IV with a much more powerful engine. When the engine was canceled just as it was entering production, the Tigress project ended with it. Only prototypes were produced.[1]
The concept of a higher-powered Lancair IV derivative was finally filled by the Lancair Propjet.
The Tigress was intended to be a development of the Lancair IV adapted to employ the 600 hp (447 kW) Orenda OE600 V-8 engine, giving it a cruise speed of 405 mph (652 km/h). To accept the higher power and the increased speeds the airframe was structurally strengthened. The engine was later cancelled by its manufacturer, Orenda Aerospace, and the Tigress kit was not produced as a result.[1]
The Tigress was made from composites, including graphite fiber. Its 30.20 ft (9.2 m) span was 5.30 ft (1.6 m) shorter than that used on the Lancair IV, mounted flaps and had a wing area of 98.00 sq ft (9.104 m2). The Tigress's wing used a McWilliams RXM5-217 airfoil at the wing root, transitioning to a NACA 64-212 at the wing tip, the same as employed on the Lancair IV.[1][2]
The aircraft had a typical empty weight of 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) and a gross weight of 3,400 lb (1,500 kg), giving a useful load of 1,000 lb (450 kg). With full fuel of 115 U.S. gallons (440 L; 96 imp gal) the payload for pilot, passengers and baggage was 310 lb (140 kg).[1]
Power Struggle. Why car engines won't fly. Don Sherman; Smithsonian Air & Space magazine; Dec 1996–Jan 1997 issue, pag 71–81. (Detailed discussion on the development history and fate of the V-8 engine in the Lancair Tigress).
