Velocity XL RG Owner's Manual - page 5
9
O
WNER
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F
LIGHT
M
ANUAL
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XL
Pilot Position
The Velocity was designed to accommodate both tall and
short pilots.The Velocity front seats are adjustable fore and aft for
this reason.The adjustable rudder pedals should be set in the aft
position for short pilots and they should use cushions if neces-
sary.
CAUTION: Keep taxi speed slow on unprepared loose surfaces.
The Velocity is more susceptible to prop damage than a conven-
tional aircraft.
Steering below 25 knots (30 mph) is accomplished by applying
full rudder and brake as required in the direction you wish to go.
As you accelerate, the single pedal control will automatically shift
you to rudder steering as the rudders become increasingly effec-
tive.The nose gear will free swivel, enabling you to maneuver in
very tight places with ease.At low speed, steering is done exclu-
sively with differential braking.The geometry of your Velocity
makes it much less sensitive to upset than most aircraft; comfort-
able taxiing operations have been demonstrated in 40 knot cross-
wind components. Be careful to hold the stick while taxiing down-
wind so the “tailwind” will not damage the ailerons/elevator.
CAUTION: When taxiing with the doors open, be careful that
the wind does not slam them closed! Close and lock the doors
during windy conditions.
Takeoff
Complete your pre takeoff checklist. Check static RPM at full
throttle. It must be at least 2700 for normal takeoff performance.
Double-check that your doors are locked down.Taxi forward a
few feet to straighten the nose gear. Set pitch trim for takeoff.
Normal: Apply full throttle smoothly.As the aircraft accelerates,
use rudder and brake as necessary for directional control.
Maintain slight aft stick pressure as you accelerate to relieve the
nose wheel. Rotate the nose gear just clear of the ground as soon
as possible about 60 to 70 knots and hold the nose wheel just
clear as you accelerate to about 75 knots. As you pass through 75
knots, rotate smoothly and you'll be off and flying. Add 5 knots if
operating at heavy gross weight.
CAUTION: Never rotate the nose beyond the angle that places
the canard above the horizon.
Crosswind Takeoff
During takeoff ground roll, with a crosswind component
above 10 knots, you will find that wheel braking may be required
long into the ground roll for directional control. In stronger cross-
winds, you may require braking right up to rotation speed for
directional control.The best technique is to hold full rudder but
not to ride the brake continuously. Apply brake intermittently and
allow the aircraft to accelerate between applications.The takeoff
ground roll can be extended significantly (50% or more) by strong
crosswind, especially at high gross weights and high density alti-
tudes.The braking requirement for directional control is the rea-
son for the takeoff limitation of 15 knots crosswind. Landings can
be made up to a 20-knot crosswind component. CROSSWIND
TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE: Hold aileron into the wind as you
rotate for lift off. Let the aircraft accelerate above normal rotation
speed and then rotate the nose abruptly to make a clean lift off
without side-skip. For crosswind components above 10 knots add
5 knots plus one half the gust factor to the normal rotation
speed.When clear of the ground make a coordinated turn into
the wind to correct for drift.