REFLECTOR: Velocity 20B update

[Hiroo Umeno]

I had the Wingco canard that never flew.  I had to replace it with a newer factory built one and I was shocked to see how much smaller that was.  We had to do a lot of re-fitting for the smaller canard to fit right.  The plane flies fine with the smaller one as far as I can tell but I've only got the plane up to about 145KIAS.

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From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of Al Gietzen
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 11:24 AM
To: reflector
Subject: REFLECTOR: Velocity 20B update

Just to let you know that flight testing is continuing, and we've just passed 15 hours of flight time.  Overall, the plane and engine are doing fine.  Things are trimmed out now for straight and true handling (and even fuel flow from both tanks).  The remaining issue is too much canard, even after reducing incidence by a bit over 1 degree.  The consensus of the experts (Scott, Scott, and Alan Shaw) is to shorten the canard (cut about 4" sections out of both sides).  Ouch!  Probably going to also add some vg's on the wings forward of the ailerons which could help at the low speed end, but will not help the need for too much down elevator (trailing edge up) when I get to about 175 KIAS.

There must be lots of Wingco canards flying.  Am I the only one with this issue?  Wondering if my 'leading edge extensions' on the strake (a la Long-EZ); http://members.cox.net/alg3/airplane.htm, might be adding a bit of lift under the strake forward of the normal center of lift.

I'll have to add I am very pleased with the operation of the 3-rotor rotary engine - in spite of few minor glitches still with the ECU.  It starts easily hot or cold, runs smooth, plenty of power, and easy one-lever operation. Haven't established top end yet, but did get up to about 205 KTAS (175 KIAS at DA of close to 10,000 ft).  After gear up on takeoff the VSI strip pegs out at 1000 fpm with close to 2100 # total weight. If you want fast descent; gear down, power off (no worries about shock cooling), and push both rudders out. Nice high controlled sink rate.
 Oh, yeah, and I'm now able to fly the plane myself after some good checkout help from Steve Murphree.

Lots of work and testing left to do.

BTW, in chatting with Alan I learned he is back in operation with some military contracts, and back to finishing some redesign on the Atlantica with plans for constructing again at some point.  Good news.  You have to admire tenacity and innovation.

Al




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