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About the Lancair Columbia 350
Discerning pilots who crave the latest technology have been flocking to composite airplanes tricked out with all the latest electronic safety gadgets. If you find yourself in this category, be sure to check out the Columbia 350 from Lancair —it’s fast, safe, and uses some of the most advanced technology available to create a cross-country airplane that is responsive, intuitive and easy to fly.
The 350, which cruises at 190 knots at 8,000 feet, is currently the fastest of two models Lancair makes. (A third model, the 400, is scheduled to become available later this year with a cruise speed at 24,000 feet of 230 knots.) The 350 can carry 1,000 pounds—ample for a family of four— and has a maximum range of slightly more than 1,300 miles. The roomy interior and well-positioned luggage compartment make sense for family travel, and its sleek good looks will turn heads on the ramp like a sports car. Visibility in the 350 is also excellent.
The Columbia can take off in just over 700 feet of runway, and has tremendous climb performance —more than 1,200 feet per minute—efficiently condensing the time it takes to reach your cruising altitude. Like many of today’s larger, single-engine aircraft, the 350 has a gross takeoff weight that is higher than its gross landing weight, something to keep in mind for pilots who routinely fly with full tanks at maximum gross weight.
The 350 is one of a handful of new aircraft to use the Avidyne primary flight display, which combines the data from many instruments into a single easy-to-read glass panel that simplifies navigation and provides better situational awareness. What’s more, the airplane’s advanced avionics are backed by a fully-redundant electrical system with two alternators and electrical systems, ensuring that the airplane’s instruments will continue to function properly in the event of an alternator or battery failure.
Options on the 350 include air conditioning, a built-in oxygen system, and a de-ice system designed to help pilots escape unexpected freezing conditions.
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The interior styling is excellent and remniscent of a luxury automobile.
All in all, the Columbia 350 is an excellent cross-country choice among the new breed of high-tech, technology-driven airplanes. And that’s what makes it our pick as Bird of the Month. 
For more info, visit www.lancair.com, or call 800-456-3033.
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