REFLECTOR: Cirrus and Velocity

[Hiroo Umeno]

Now, this discussion got me thinking.

I have one of the early SUVs with a single door.  With the wife making much noises about wanting her own door, I will likely install that next winter.  Now, the SUVs have the standard fuselage and it is a bit tight on the elbow room and not much spaces for bags when seats are occupied.  There are places for small carry-on in the strake area and perhaps a laptop or two can fit behind the back seat but that's about all you get.  Not enough for a couple over-night bags for kids.

I have seen Long EZs with under-wing "baggage pods".  Has anyone tried that idea on a Velocity?  Of course, gross weight and CG are something to work out but in terms of aerodynamic properties, is there any reason the same idea would not work?  As I was looking at the plane this weekend, the wing - strake interface on the out-board end sits well outside the prop arc and seems to offer structural hard point for attaching the "pods".  I am also thinking that the same spot might offer some possibility as a mounting location for "camera pod" as well.

Any thoughts?

Hiroo

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From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of Tom Martino
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 8:55 AM
To: amillin at sbcglobal.net; Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Cirrus and Velocity

Andy ... I appreciate the question.  In hindsight I wish I built the XL.  However, at the time I bought the kit (which had already been started) ... it was the standard (Elite) fuselage with long wings and canard.  I was also looking for maximum speed!  And I DID NOT HAVE CHILDREN AT THE TIME.

Well ... things changed in a big way.  After thinking I was sterile for many, many years ... I fathered two children!

The Velocity is my Ferrari ... the Cirrus is my family wagon.

Tom



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From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org on behalf of Andy Millin
Sent: Mon 3/19/2007 9:04 AM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: REFLECTOR: Cirrus and Velocity
Tom,

I am asking this question with a bit of a curious grin.  You have said the Velocity is stingy on the cabin space and you prefer the Cirrus for x-country.

I know this is a hindsight question...

If cabin room was/is a primary consideration ... why did you build the standard fuselage?

I know Pat Shea has some very impressive performance numbers and has the XL fuselage.

When I have visitors over to look at my project, it's almost guaranteed they will comment on how large the plane is and how much room is in the cabin.

Honest question.  Not trying to be smart.

Andy

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From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of Tom Martino
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 12:22 AM
To: Velocity List
Subject: REFLECTOR: HOW FAST?
OK, in speed tests this weekend, I was able to true out at 210 knots pretty consistently.  I was at 23 inches and 2400 RPM.  I still had throttle travel left.  Flight controls were solid and no sign of flutter.  Should I push it even further?  At what point do I know I have gone far enough?

Tom Martino
173 Elite RG - 300 HP (IO-540)

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