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speed to be thoroughly proficient/ comfortable with the unique
Velocity rudder system.There should be no tendency for the pilot
to inadvertently push/deploy both rudders at the same time,
unless during braking.
Next step is to practice speed control before attempting nose
wheel lift offs. It is important to be able to control speed accu-
rately so as not to get airborne inadvertently.You will find that
once a speed is attained it takes VERY LITTLE power to maintain
it. Practice accelerating to and maintaining different target speeds.
(30, 40, 50, 60 knots) Do not rotate.
You will find that once the target speed is reached you must
reduce power to idle or just a “hair” above to keep from exceed-
ing it. Be proficient and comfortable in holding speed before mov-
ing onto nose wheel liftoffs.The aircraft will rotate at different
speeds depending on gross weight and center of gravity.To deter-
mine rotation speed, accelerate to 50 knots, set power to main-
tain speed (close to idle), then attempt to rotate. If 50 knots is
too slow to rotate, then go back to the start and try 55 knots,
etc. Find the speed that will just rotate the nose (about 60 knots),
reduce power to near idle and practice holding the nose at a pre-
determined position. Be careful to not over-rotate.Always keep
the canard well below the horizon.The pilot should not allow the
aircraft to exceed 65 knots or rotate to a point of becoming air-
borne during this exercise.
When you’ve done enough runs down the runway so that you
can comfortably, smoothly and precisely control speed, pitch and
yaw with the nose wheel off the ground, you should be ready for
the first flight.
First Flight
You should be proficient in rudder operations and positive
control of pitch control and are ready for the “big one”. But be
sure you review and understand the following.
The Velocity does not fly like a Cessna 150 or some other
sluggish trainer.The Velocity is a high performance, responsive air-
High Speed Taxi and Nose Wheel Liftoffs
Before conducting the following tests with your new Velocity,
do all of them first with two other different airplanes in which
you are proficient.These maneuvers (nosewheel liftoffs at low
power) are a little strange at the average pilot. Doing them in a
familiar airplane takes the strangeness out of the maneuver and
better prepares you to do them in a new airplane. It also gives
you a first-hand look at runway length requirements and wind
conditions.
Some of the following requirements and procedures may
seem excessive.This is not due to any special feature of the
Velocity; we feel they should be required of any homebuilt during
their initial testing.The safety record of homebuilts during first
flights is not as good as it could be if the owners and pilots would
follow the following cautious procedures during initial testing.
• Weather - wind calm or smooth wind straight down the
runway. Smooth air - check turbulence in another airplane.
• Runway - at least 3500 ft., preferably over 4000 ft
• Fuel - 10 gallon each side
• Pilot - see pilot experience requirements for absolute min-
imum criteria. Do not test fly a new airplane while fatigued:
go home, get some dinner, sleep; you are more alert in the
morning.
The reason for the long runway requirement is to allow you
to do nosewheel lift-offs and decelerations without concern for
stopping distance or
BRAKE HEATING
.The air must be smooth and
without crosswind. Be sure you removed your wheel pants. Set
the pitch trim for takeoff. Set neutral roll trim.
The purpose of this phase of testing is to evaluate the air-
craft’s performance and trim during high speed taxi/nose wheel
liftoffs, to acquaint the pilot with the pitch and yaw characteristics
of the Velocity, and, most importantly, to give him the correct visu-
al cue of zero height to allow him to judge flare height on his first
landing.The pilot should spend enough time just below rotation
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