TYPE: Two-seat lightplane.

PROGRAMME: Luscombe Airplane Corp. Model 8 Silvaire first flew 18 December 1938; progressed through several subvariants, built by Luscombe, Temco Engineering and Silvaire Aircraft until 1960; total of some 5,867 produced. In 1999, Renaissance refurbished an original Luscombe 8F (N999RA) as prototype for relaunched production. First deliveries were due late 2000, but not effected. However, promotion was continuing in mid-2001, and assembly of first aircraft (N722J) began late 2001.

CUSTOMERS: More than 10 deposits placed by July 2001.

COSTS: US$77,500, basic VFR; US$86,000 Mode C VFR; US$97,400 IFR (all 2003).

DESIGN FEATURES: High-wing, all-metal touring lightplane of late 1930s technology, but incorporating modifications and some modern features. Changes include considerable increase in power from original 67.1 kW (90 hp) Continental C-90; 60 per cent more baggage area or optional seating for two children; additional fuel; and new cockpit interior.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Flight-adjustable tab in port elevator; ground-adjustable tabs on both ailerons. No horn balances. Plain flaps; deflections 0, 10, 20 and 30°.

STRUCTURE: Alclad aluminium monocoque fuselage; oval section duralumin bulkhead stampings and riveted Alclad skin. Wings constructed on two I-type spars of extruded aluminium and ribs of riveted T-section extrusions with Alclad skin. Ailerons covered with beaded Alclad sheet riveted to a single duralumin spar. Wings attached to upper sides of cabin and braced by single streamlined strut each side. Wing struts and landing gear attached to aluminium forgings riveted to forward section of metal seat bottom on each side. Duralumin/Alclad tailplane bolted to fuselage. Steel tube main landing gear legs hinged at fuselage sides and with single oleo-spring unit within fuselage.

LANDING GEAR: Tailwheel type; fixed. Mainwheel tyres 6.00-6; toe-operated hydraulic brakes; optional speed fairings. Steerable tailwheel, size 2.30/2.50-4. Optional skis, floats or tundra tyres.

POWER PLANT: One 112 kW (150 hp) Textron Lycoming O-320 flat-four driving a Sensenich 74-62, two-blade, fixed-pitch aluminium propeller with spinner. Optionally, 103 kW (138 hp) LOM M332A straight-four. Fuel tank in each wing, total 117 litres (30.0 US gallons; 25.0 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Two, on individual leather seats, with dual controls. Forward-hinged door each side. Baggage compartment behind seats may be replaced by two child seats.

SYSTEMS: Electrical system with starter, ammeter and circuit breakers.

AVIONICS: Comms: ELT standard. Optional Mode C VFR package includes Bendix/King KX 155 nav/com/glideslope with KI 209 VOR/LOC/GS head; KT 76C-10 transponder; KMA 12801 audio panel with intercom and push-to-talk switches on control columns, and Ameriking AK 350 encoder. Optional IFR package includes Mode C items as above and adds a second KX 155 with KI 1209 VOR/LOC/GS; KT 76C-10X transponder in place of KT 76C-10, and KA 33-00 cooling blower.
Flightt: Optional Mode C VFR and IFR packages each include Bendix/King KMD 150-05 GPS with colour moving map display.
Instrumentation: Optional full gyro package includes engine-driven vacuum system and gauge; vacuum-driven directional gyro and attitude indicator; electric turn-and-bank indicator; ASI, OAT gauge and precision electric clock.

EQUIPMENT: Navigation, landing and wingtip strobe lights; vinyl and fabric cabin upholstery, and carved wood control column grips and fuel escutcheons, all standard. Combination EGT/CHT gauge, custom exterior paint; leather interior; thermal aconstic cabin insulation; custom wood instrument panel overlays with integral lighting, and interior and panel lights, all optional. Heated pitot tube included in optional IFR avionics package.