REFLECTOR: Velocity in IFR

[Scott Baker]

Hello Al,
In my opinion Velocity aircraft make good IFR platforms.
Favorable points -
*    Very good pitch stability helps the pilot maintain altitude and at a set airspeed during climbs and descents
*    Ability to fly fast approach speeds allows ATC to "blend in" the Velocity with faster IFR traffic.  This helps when landing at commercial airports.
Less than favorable points -
*    Neutral roll stability means that small aileron controls will turn the aircraft - the pilot needs to be aware of heading control.
*    Right handed pilots may have difficulty changing radio frequencies and copying clearances
*    Slowing the aircraft can sometimes be a challenge.  Extending the landing gear is a drag option once slowed to 125 knots.  Note - many pilots have a habit of extending the landing gear at the outer marker on an ILS (or when beginning the final descent during a non-precision approach).  If the aircraft is not slowed to V gear extension speed (125 knots) at the point where the gear is to be extended, it will be next to impossible to slow the aircraft to its gear extension speed during a descent.  What I'm trying to say is this ... let's say you are being vectored for an ILS at 'big city airport' and ATC asks if you can maintain 140 knots.  There is no problem in compliance - but just be aware, you must plan ahead and slow the aircraft to gear extension speed prior to the outer marker.

Lastly, non-certified avionics/flight instruments in Experimental aircraft make IFR flight risky until the equipment performance is proven reliable.

Scott B

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Al Gietzen 
  To: reflector 
  Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 12:27 PM
  Subject: REFLECTOR: Velocity in IFR


  Let me try this again.  I have a prospective buyer who is asking how the Velocity is as an IFR platform. I don't fly IFR; he expects to be doing that quite a bit.  I think it is a very stable airplane; however when we were on a demo flight we got into turbulence and he seems to feel that there quite a lot of roll and yaw going on.  So he's looking for some feedback other Velocity drivers on how they feel about how the Velocity behaves in typical IFR conditions. I offered to ask here. Were talking about an SE RG.



  A glowing report would be nice, but of course we want honesty.  If any of you would be willing to communicate with him directly, let me know.  He is very experienced with CFI, CFII, ASMEL, rotor ratings.



  Thanks,



  Al





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