REFLECTOR: SPARROW

[Jim Sower]

As I recall, Danny didn't want the Velocity to "kneel" for aesthetic 
reasons, so he moved the main mounts back further behind the CG.  Of 
course there were consequences, not the least of which was the 
airplane's reluctance to rotate.  IIRC that consideration drove the 
decision to increase the relative area of the canard compared to EZs and 
Cozys - but I'm not sure of that.
As best I recall .... Jim S.


Greg Poole wrote:

> ...you sure Duane was not just having a little joke John?
>
> - I cannot for the life of me believe that little itty bitty sparrow 
> strainer could do any such thing!
>
> (...I think the reason Velocitys don't graze is simpy that they are 
> usually set up (not all) with just a little more weight forward of the 
> main gear when standing in the horizontal whereas the others wantto 
> take the "rocket stance" (pointed to the moon) until their noses are 
> lowered downward -ie: grazing- when the geometry moves the CG forward 
> of the main wheels). With the XL we played with down here (now owned 
> by Dave Dent who you have all now come to know and love!), I could 
> relatively easily lift the nose and the higher I lifted it, the 
> lighter it appeared to get.
>
> ....if anybody knows different to my understanding please squeak up!
>
> Greg in Sydney.
>
>
>>
>> I once asked Duane Swing why it was not necessary to
>> park the Velocity in the "grazing" position since it
>> had the same basic configuration as the other canard
>> planes. He said it was because the "Sparrow Strainer"
>> kept the nose from lifting while parked.
>>                              John
>