To me the plane is amazing but what's more impressive is Stan's background. He's a Vietnam vet and his military history is more amazing than the plane. I have talked with Stan for hours about his career. When I was little I used to dream of pilots like Stan.
I remember this was the hot 4-place homebuilt from the mid 80s. They were very rare and only saw a couple of them at Oshkosh over the years. Later the same company put out a different kit called the lightning bug that was unsuccessful.
Yes, the plane was fairly well known among the amateur building community (early to mid- 90s, as I recall) as the fastest, and lightest 4-place fibreglass kit. It required very experienced builder who knew their way around composites, and a very experienced pilot, who knew their way around high-performance, complex aircraft.
I'm 6-1 (or was -- years ago) and almost bought this very airplane from the original builder in Ogden, UT. It's a spectacular build but in my case I could close the canopy but would have had to move the pedals forward. I discussed with the builder how to do that and we really couldn't figure it out because the space was so tight, so I passed. But it flies like a bat out of hell, that's for sure. AND, I later flew another in which I fit fine, so it really matters how tall was the original builder.
Glad you mentioned the Velocity. My XL-5 RG (N36LV) would cruise all day at 200 kts burning 14 gph LOP. For takeoff I had 370 HP and could be at 10,000 ft 5 minutes later. No stall, carried 5 comfortably in normal seating configuration and had a 1100 NM range. The WL was a very cool idea back in the 80s but had a lot of drawbacks.
@@trueairspeed130 Sadly, she and I had to part company after my retirement. I encourage you to contact Scott and Duane Swing and head down to Sebastian Florida for a full checkout.
I wish I could recall the N#… She was a beauty. I watched her fly only one time. The single pilot performance on departure was like a homesick angel scalding VFR into the hot place…
Continental makes a TSIO-360-FB engine and is used in the Turbo Arrow. This engine needs several mods to make it more practical: GAMI injectors, automatic wastegate, pressurized mags, and an engine monitor. I owned a T-Arrow for 14 years and had all of these mods. The turbo and intercooler add a significant bit of length to engine which would drive engine mount, cowling, and C.G. changes. The turbo would be an awesome addition performance wise as sea level manifold pressure can be maintained to 18k ft, which is the critical altitude with the automatic wastegate.
I remember the kit was sold out of Walterboro SC back in the early 1990's. I was skydiving there and saw the signs for this airplane. I thought it was really cool, but I'm not a pilot.
Lance Air IV is a better option as you get all the support of LOBO and is faster and bigger inside. The single stick in the center is horrible when training people to fly the airplane, too. He did a GREAT JOB of building that airplane!
…still remember seeing that beauty in a magazine back in the early 1980ies when I started flying… Jeez I wanted one so badly but I am over in ol Europe and here things look way different in the Experimental world… besides… you need to win the lottery… went flying Lear 55s instead… a worthy solace I guess… White Lightning… White Lightning… White Lightning… 🥰
@@vasicp Thanks. I got a close look at the cockpit and it screamed fiberglass. I couldn’t see much else, but the airframe completion date kinda gave it away… 😎
actually just spoke to him and I am mistaken, he said he turned 80 and insurance is getting more onerous for him and he might be interested in selling. 505-337-9355
As a Pilot who is 6 feet 4 inches I am absolutely sick and tired of airplanes made for midgets only. The designers of these planes excluded a whole bunch of market space from being interested, and yet this happens over and over again. Cessna was so super successful and build so many as they fit every body just fine. Best Regards from Alaska!
I think it stems from the obsession with fuel economy, cost that was brought about by the oil shock. People got PTSD from it and thought it was going to happen again. So they designed as economical as possible which means compromising on size. Still going on to this day, except for a few airframes.
@@trueairspeed130 You make a good point, for sure. ... One big factor is of course the fact that people are now getting much taller and much bigger than in the past when most of these planes were designed. But even today the Kitplane manufacturers are still making airplanes for midgets, like I found out when shopping for one. Naturally the planes I own, restored or build are all big enough for me, two of them are heavily modified plans-build, stretched for bigger (me=taller) people. Anyway it is always very disappointing when being interested in a plane and then finding out one can not even fit in it....
That was the only way this plane could actually safely fly. Turning the seats forward would move the centre of gravity (CG) too far aft, making it impossible to control and fly. This is the beauty of experimental amateur-built aircraft. You can design anything you want and build it yourself. Want an ultra-fast, extremely light, extremely efficient 4-place airplane? You'll need to make some design decisions that are a bit unique.
@@trueairspeed130 in the experimental amateur-built community, there has always been a clear distinction between 2+2 and 4-place aircraft. The 2+2, while advertised as "4-place" tend to have narrow rear seat, where realistically, only a pair of children could fit (and the useful load makes it impossible to fill the tanks with four adults onboard), a real 4-place can realistically fit four typical adults and possibly even fill the tanks (although this may not always be the case, with overweight adults). The White Lightning has a nominal useful load of 850lbs, which allows for four adults (~650lbs) and a decent amount of fuel. The amount of space for rear passengers isn't any tighter than for the pilot/copilot. In other words, it's a genuine 4-place. Realistically, though, owners of 4-place aircraft fly alone, or with just one other person in the plane, 95% of the time (unless flying for hire).
@@trueairspeed130 Check with this guy before ever producing a video. He, and ONLY he, is king of video law. He's posted two videos and has 17 subs, so he knows what's up! Everyone on the planet bows to his taste & opinion 🤣
To me the plane is amazing but what's more impressive is Stan's background. He's a Vietnam vet and his military history is more amazing than the plane. I have talked with Stan for hours about his career. When I was little I used to dream of pilots like Stan.
👍
I remember this was the hot 4-place homebuilt from the mid 80s. They were very rare and only saw a couple of them at Oshkosh over the years. Later the same company put out a different kit called the lightning bug that was unsuccessful.
Thanks for the additional info.
Yes, the plane was fairly well known among the amateur building community (early to mid- 90s, as I recall) as the fastest, and lightest 4-place fibreglass kit. It required very experienced builder who knew their way around composites, and a very experienced pilot, who knew their way around high-performance, complex aircraft.
Nice for the gentleman to take the time to show off his aircraft! Very cool to see.
Yes indeed!
Thanks for posting. I've long been enamored by the WLAC.
Our pleasure!
Thank you for sharing this amazing airplane. 🙏
My pleasure!
I'm 6-1 (or was -- years ago) and almost bought this very airplane from the original builder in Ogden, UT. It's a spectacular build but in my case I could close the canopy but would have had to move the pedals forward. I discussed with the builder how to do that and we really couldn't figure it out because the space was so tight, so I passed. But it flies like a bat out of hell, that's for sure. AND, I later flew another in which I fit fine, so it really matters how tall was the original builder.
Good to know
Glad you mentioned the Velocity. My XL-5 RG (N36LV) would cruise all day at 200 kts burning 14 gph LOP. For takeoff I had 370 HP and could be at 10,000 ft 5 minutes later. No stall, carried 5 comfortably in normal seating configuration and had a 1100 NM range. The WL was a very cool idea back in the 80s but had a lot of drawbacks.
I am looking forward to seeing a Velocity like yours upfront. I have sat in a Velocity SE, maybe my next video :)
@@trueairspeed130 Sadly, she and I had to part company after my retirement. I encourage you to contact Scott and Duane Swing and head down to Sebastian Florida for a full checkout.
Nice! We had one based at the airport where I used to work.
Where’s that?
@@trueairspeed130 KGMU. The owner sold it about 10 years ago.
I wish I could recall the N#… She was a beauty. I watched her fly only one time. The single pilot performance on departure was like a homesick angel scalding VFR into the hot place…
I too saw this on Controller, couldn't find any info on this and today I just stumbled across this video, Nice!
Glad I could help!
I should design a plane and call it greased lighting 🤣. Lovely design for a single
Great idea!
Between the canopy and the sidestick would make it feel like a jet fighter.
exactly why Stan chose it :)
Nick jones a somewhat ledged! A great aircraft!
clearly
Stan rules, let’s go Stan!
I agree
Gorgeous plane! Imagine how fast it would be if it had a turbocharged 210hp engine! 325mph would be very possible at altitude!
@@GrantOakes somebody’s should give it a try :)
Continental makes a TSIO-360-FB engine and is used in the Turbo Arrow. This engine needs several mods to make it more practical: GAMI injectors, automatic wastegate, pressurized mags, and an engine monitor. I owned a T-Arrow for 14 years and had all of these mods. The turbo and intercooler add a significant bit of length to engine which would drive engine mount, cowling, and C.G. changes. The turbo would be an awesome addition performance wise as sea level manifold pressure can be maintained to 18k ft, which is the critical altitude with the automatic wastegate.
I remember the kit was sold out of Walterboro SC back in the early 1990's. I was skydiving there and saw the signs for this airplane. I thought it was really cool, but I'm not a pilot.
it's within reach, become a pilot :)
Lance Air IV is a better option as you get all the support of LOBO and is faster and bigger inside. The single stick in the center is horrible when training people to fly the airplane, too. He did a GREAT JOB of building that airplane!
True, but It's in a different price category. I actually own a Lancair IVP Turboprop, I might make a video about it soon.
@@trueairspeed130 Weird that you removed my comment. I sold mine for 250K.
@@thomasmahoney9748 I didn't remove any comment. Good to know.
Ok im like 2 minutes into the video and I already want one. For the name alone.
"Center, white lightning 123AB...."
👍
I wonder if Mr. Boyd is the son of the famous General Al Boyd, USAF test pilot extraordinaire, who held a record for most different types flown..
Could be, next time i see him I’ll ask
…still remember seeing that beauty in a magazine back in the early 1980ies when I started flying… Jeez I wanted one so badly but I am over in ol Europe and here things look way different in the Experimental world… besides… you need to win the lottery… went flying Lear 55s instead… a worthy solace I guess… White Lightning… White Lightning… White Lightning… 🥰
Cool
I think their is a one or two set version brother as I remember.
worth looking into.
Where can i buy one very nice
controller.com was advertising one. And Stan might be interested in selling his.
good luck. They are rare so finding one won't be easy.
Never heard about this plane, incredible numbers though, what is it made of?
Composite in going to guess fiberglass but it could be carbon
@@trueairspeed130 I’m pretty sure it’s primarily fiberglass.
@@nagjrcjasonbower Yes, it was fibreglass. Wings are styrofoam core with fibreglass shell.
@@vasicp Thanks. I got a close look at the cockpit and it screamed fiberglass. I couldn’t see much else, but the airframe completion date kinda gave it away… 😎
It's pre-mold fiberglass kit. The 2 rear seats face rearward which is not very popular.
That a bargain
Seems dirt cheap for what it is. Maybe particulars we're not aware of?
I agree
Is the owner in Belen looking to sell his aircraft?
No he is not, he loves his airplane
actually just spoke to him and I am mistaken, he said he turned 80 and insurance is getting more onerous for him and he might be interested in selling. 505-337-9355
As a Pilot who is 6 feet 4 inches I am absolutely sick and tired of airplanes made for midgets only. The designers of these planes excluded a whole bunch of market space from being interested, and yet this happens over and over again. Cessna was so super successful and build so many as they fit every body just fine. Best Regards from Alaska!
I think it stems from the obsession with fuel economy, cost that was brought about by the oil shock. People got PTSD from it and thought it was going to happen again. So they designed as economical as possible which means compromising on size. Still going on to this day, except for a few airframes.
This is a home built experimental category airplane. If you want one you have to build it. Your argument is mute.
I think what he said is valid for a lot of certified airplanes too. Kind of on the small side, not easily accessible.
@@trueairspeed130 You make a good point, for sure. ... One big factor is of course the fact that people are now getting much taller and much bigger than in the past when most of these planes were designed. But even today the Kitplane manufacturers are still making airplanes for midgets, like I found out when shopping for one. Naturally the planes I own, restored or build are all big enough for me, two of them are heavily modified plans-build, stretched for bigger (me=taller) people. Anyway it is always very disappointing when being interested in a plane and then finding out one can not even fit in it....
Get an RV10 if you're 6'4" ✅
Rear seat pax configuration is suspect…no one likes flying backwards. They also have to contend with the luggage on or around their feet.
True, but Stan rarely takes passengers if at all.
That was the only way this plane could actually safely fly. Turning the seats forward would move the centre of gravity (CG) too far aft, making it impossible to control and fly.
This is the beauty of experimental amateur-built aircraft. You can design anything you want and build it yourself. Want an ultra-fast, extremely light, extremely efficient 4-place airplane? You'll need to make some design decisions that are a bit unique.
@@vasicp in my opinion it's a two person airplane with a lot of room in the back :)
Realistically you pop rear seats out and bags go right behind front seats. Maybe skis or clubs would fit with rear seats out?
@@trueairspeed130 in the experimental amateur-built community, there has always been a clear distinction between 2+2 and 4-place aircraft. The 2+2, while advertised as "4-place" tend to have narrow rear seat, where realistically, only a pair of children could fit (and the useful load makes it impossible to fill the tanks with four adults onboard), a real 4-place can realistically fit four typical adults and possibly even fill the tanks (although this may not always be the case, with overweight adults).
The White Lightning has a nominal useful load of 850lbs, which allows for four adults (~650lbs) and a decent amount of fuel. The amount of space for rear passengers isn't any tighter than for the pilot/copilot. In other words, it's a genuine 4-place.
Realistically, though, owners of 4-place aircraft fly alone, or with just one other person in the plane, 95% of the time (unless flying for hire).
Seriously, Dave… a cleavage thumbnail? Mate…
?
The longer I look at it the less ugly it is
👍
The music junked another video 👎👎👎👎💩💩💩😬
not seeing it in the volume of viewership
Stop with the stupid music.
is it the genre of music, or you just can't stand music at all.
Your not a conductor and music is not your strong point, dont ever try adding it again.
so mean :)
@@trueairspeed130 well that's probably true but that first part, what was that? It was irritating to me sorry.
@@trueairspeed130 Check with this guy before ever producing a video. He, and ONLY he, is king of video law. He's posted two videos and has 17 subs, so he knows what's up! Everyone on the planet bows to his taste & opinion 🤣