REFLECTOR: IFR Flight

[Scott Baker]

Its been my experience when flying Velocity aircraft in rain that speeds drop about 5-knots (as you described).
Pitch changes/bumps occur with convective activity.  I normally see a small pitch up when entering clouds.
When flying an IFR clearance, ATC airspace, MOA's, TFR's, and Restricted airspace are no longer factors ... fly the clearance.
Scott B
CFI-I

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: aminetech at bluefrog.com 
  To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
  Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2011 5:34 PM
  Subject: REFLECTOR: IFR Flight


  Today I did my first real IFR flight direct from McPherson, KS to Ocean Springs, MS.  There was VFR weather at both ends and IFR in the middle.  I learned a few things.  In the clouds my speed decreased by 5 kn.  Is this typical?  My IVO prop performed flawlessly and helped a lot with the speed variations.  I replaced the motor brush torsion springs with stronger ones and that seems to keep the motor working, so far.  In rain the plane pitched up and down a lot.  In moderate to heavy rain the A/P couldn't maintain altitude within 100 feet and I had to assist it.  The rain showers lasted only 10-15 min, each.  I was happy about that as I didn't want to have to fight it for an hour.  Also, water dripped on my feet during the heavy rain.  I'll have to seal the canard joints somehow.  The OAT and carb temps were both 6 C initially and gradually increased to 11 C as I progressed farther south.  I was wondering about carb icing, but it was raining, so I figured I was ok.  My MAP began at 20.5", and slowly decreased over 1 1/2 hours.  When it go to 19", I knew something was wrong because I've never seen it that low at 9000'.  So I applied carb heat and the MAP immediately dropped 1/2".  Then it slowly increased for several seconds.  Then the engine stumbled for 1/2 sec and then the MAP jumped to 21".  So there was some ice there.  Now I know that water freezes at 11 C in OK and AR.  My understanding is that you can't fly IFR through MOAs, yet I went through 2.  The last hour I was out of the rain and could have climbed and went VFR, but I decided to continue going in and out of cloud tops for experience.  It was quite bumpy and next time I'll climb and go VFR.

  I met a guy at the McPherson airport who knows someone who just bought a Velocity with a rotary engine.  Is that your's, Al?

  John


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