One of the new breed of modern light high-performance kitplane homebuilts, the Lancair series has been developed over the years ito a number of models, the Lancair IV being released to amateur constructors in 1990. In 1991 a Lancair IV set a world speed record from San Francisco to Denver,

The Express series was designed by Wheeler Technology Inc as a high-speed cross-country kitplane, and the prototype was built from kits of pre-moulded parts, the first aircraft flying on 28 July 1987.