Velocity XL RG Owner's Manual - Stall and Low Speed Handling
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Stall and Low Speed Handling
Characteristics
The Velocity has good flight characteristics at minimum speed.
It is a docile, controllable airplane at full aft stick at its minimum
airspeed of 60 to 70 knots. It does not exhibit any of the conven-
tional airplane’s tendencies to roll or pitch down uncontrollable
or other common uncommanded flight path excursions. Any
power setting may be used at full aft stick without changing the
way the airplane handles. By adjusting the throttle setting you can
climb, descend or maintain level flight.The very low speed range
(below 65 knots) is characterized by a doubling of the force
required to hold the stick aft, tending to keep the inattentive pilot
at a more normal flying speed.Ailerons and rudder are effective at
all speeds, including full-aft stick flight.
Since the flight characteristics of the Velocity are so much bet-
ter at minimum speed than contemporary conventional aircraft, it
hardly seems fitting to use the
term ìstallî in characterizing the
Velocity behavior, even though it is
technically correct.The Velocity’s
“stall” consists of any one of the
following, in order of prevalence:
1. Stabilized flight (climb, level or descent, depending on power
setting) at full aft stick. Below 65 knots there is a very definite
increase in the aft stick force, such that the pilot has to pull
noticeably harder on the stick to get below 65 knots.
2. Occasionally, particularly at forward cg, the airplane will oscil-
late mildly in pitch after full aft stick is reached.This is a mild
“bucking” of a very low amplitude, one to two degrees and about
one-half to one “bucks” per second. If the full aft stick is relieved
during exaggerated cross control and slow flight. Third, with the
majority of the fuselage being forward of the wings, there is a
chance that the fuselage could blank out the wind to the trailing
wing. The Velocity has demonstrated taxi, takeoffs and landings in
gusty winds to 45 knots and with crosswind components as great
as 18 knots for takeoff and 28 knots for landing.
Fly from long runways until you develop your proficiency. A
2000 ft. runway length can be considered as minimum, but only
after you have made at least 50 landings on longer runways.
Caution: If the cg is aft, it is possible to rotate the nose to an
excessively high angle during landing rollout, placing the cg aft of
the main wheels. Avoid rotation above 12 degrees (canard on
horizon), using forward stick or brakes as necessary, to avoid prop
damage or tipping the aircraft onto its tail.
Ground Handling and Tie Down
The easiest way to handle the aircraft on the ground is to
stand in front of the canard and grasp its top surface with one
hand and the elevator slot underneath with the other hand. Do
not handle the elevator.
The Velocity can be safely left unattended in moderate winds.
However, it is prudent to always tie down any aircraft whenever
possible. For long term parking, position the Velocity backwards in
the parking slot, with the nose over the normal tail tie down
rope.“Set” the main gear and securely tie down the wings.
Position the nose just to the right of the “tail” tie down and tie
the nose securely to the ground.
If your aircraft is subject to being moved by unknowledgeable
people, ballast the nose and attach a sign to caution them about
the possibility of gear creep and loss of alignment.