Reno racer Jeff Lavelle set a new speed record at the 2009 National Championship Air Races in Reno. His Glasair III 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, Wash.
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.
“The Glasair III is amazingly versatile,” Lavelle said. “It’s incredibly strong yet very comfortable. My turbo-III will climb at over 3,000 fpm and cruise at up to 340 mph.”
More than 300 Glasairs are flying in countries around the world. The first Glasair flew in the late 1970s and the Glasair III is latest version of the aircraft, the result of years of evolution in airframe and engine technologies, according to company officials. The Glasair III kit is manufactured by Glasair Aviation in Arlington, Wash., which also manufactures the Sportsman 2+2, a four-seat, composite and metal airplane.
For more information: GlasairAviation.com
