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ANUAL
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XL
of trim direction, if the airplane needs adjustment.You will notice
a small roll trim change when you reduce the power.The airplane
will require more right trim with power off. Limit your first flight
to feeling out roll, pitch and yaw responses and checking engine
operation, temperatures, pressures, etc. Make your approach at 80
knots. Have a fast touch down (75-80 knots), leaving full stall
landings for later in the test program.
After this first flight make a thorough systems check, clean and
flush the fuel filter, electric fuel pump screen, and carb screen.Also
remove and clean out carb float bowl. Check float needle valve
and seat for cleanliness on carburated engine.
Envelope Expansion
With first flight completed and any squawks resolved, you are
ready to expand your flight envelope. Do not promptly charge out
and test fly your aircraft at the extreme CG position and weights.
Expand your envelope in small increments. Remember, you have
to spend 40 hours in your test area, so put the time to good use
and do a professional job of flight testing. Before expanding the
weight and CG range shown for initial testing, spend a few hours
and become thoroughly comfortable in your piloting tasks.When
you feel at home in the airplane, begin your expansion of the
weight, CG position, load factor and airspeed ranges. Don’t feel
obliged to expand into the full ranges shown in the plans and in
this handbook. Expand your limitations slowly, and if you reach a
point that you feel uncomfortable, stop.The ranges shown are
those demonstrated by the designer. Feel free to restrict your air-
plane as you determine in your own testing; just don’t exceed the
design limits shown.
Do not assume that your aircraft will fly exactly the same as
N97XL. Minor homebuilder construction tolerances can effect fly-
ing qualities and performance; for example, your aircraft may
exhibit less or more stall margin.As with any aircraft, completely
determine your stall characteristics at a safe altitude, then operate
craft with differences. It has a side stick and the pilot should keep
his forearm on the arm rest and use his wrist to control pitch.
Also, the rudders can both be deployed simultaneously and the
pilot should be careful not to inadvertently do this in flight.
There are two differences in a Velocity that must be thorough-
ly understood prior to flight:
1. The non-standard rudder pedals: Be sure not to inadvertently
deploy both rudders at the same time in flight. If this happens, one
will usually be out more than the other, producing unwanted yaw.
The Velocity rudders are quite effective.Adjust the pedals so your
foot does not press the pedals naturally.
2. Pitch over-controlling: The novice pilot will expect the
Velocity to handle like the C-150, or whatever he last flew.The
experienced pilot knows that J-3 Cubs and Bonanzas handle dif-
ferently and will make the transition easily. Spend enough time on
the runway just above rotation speed but below lift off speed and
practice controlling pitch so you can put and hold the desired/
selected pitch proficiently. Hold the forearm on the arm rest and
control pitch with the wrist only. Do not over-rotate! The highest
rotation you should see during this or the later flights is the
canard up to, but never above, the horizon. Better yet, keep it
always at least 2° below the horizon.
Remember the first flight of your aircraft is just one baby step
up from the lift off that you’ve just completed and is just the bare
beginning of your flight test program. First flight should again be
made under ideal weather conditions.The weight and CG position
should be within the limited envelope for “first flight box”. First
flight is not intended to demonstrate the capability of your air-
craft or of the pilot and should be flown very conservatively.
Leave the gear down and give yourself one less thing to worry
about. Limit your airspeed to a range of from 80 knots to 130
knots. Stay over the airport and resist the urge to buzz your
observers. During your climb out, set your pitch and roll trims to
trim the airplane for hands-off flight.This will be a handy reminder
Summary of Contents for XL RG
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