Velocity Aircraft ?

Never flown in one, nor similar canard configuration aircraft, e.g. Long EZ, etc. But my neighbor has one (Velocity) so I've seen him TO&L. These aircraft do not have flaps. Thus their TO performance is lacking IMO. Requires much higher speeds to get off the ground and the initial climb performance is poor. Same thing on landing, higher speeds. So from that standpoint there is a notable difference from other aircraft. Not dangerous per se, just different performance characteristics that a pilot needs to consider when choosing airports, payload, etc.

 

I’m not well versed in aircraft design- but why would someone design a plane without flaps?

 

Weight, complexity. Rutan designed the Long EZ for the amateur homebuild crowd. This was long before fast-build kits and pre-made major assemblies became the norm. So these guys are shaping foam by hand using templates made from full size paper copies glued to plywood. Then hand laying up fiberglass.

Another aspect is that flaps create a large nose-down pitching moment. The canard design may not have the authority to overcome that without increased size or excessive speed. So there are trade-offs.

 

Check out the RV10
I’m on my 3rd build
It’s probably the most capable experimental out there. Huge speed range Vso 53kts to Vne 200kts. Typical cruise 165kias at 10.5 gph
The last one I built and sold had built in A/C and o2.



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RV-10 vs Velocity

This thread is over 12 yrs old, but has some good comments comparing the 2. (mostly 'use caution' if deciding on a Velocity)

https://vansairforce.net/threads/rv-10-vs-velocity-flame-suit-on.78996/

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A similar model: Cozy Mark IV just crashed off Half Moon Bay with four aboard.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-16/half-moon-bay-crash-victims

 

These days, first question should always be what is the insurance cost(assuming you want to insure it). Boring is always the cheapest to insure. Add any of the following: tailwheel, water landing, multi-engine, hard to fly, bad rep, etc and insurance can cost as much as the plane in a few years. I have to believe a Velocity is way more to insure. Composites scare me, because of the unknowns of how they age, and where I am hangers are a many years wait. Of course, the RV10 also has some significant amount of composite, but I don't think it's structural?

Joe, 3 RV10's!!!? Please tell us that story.

 

Composites aren't new anymore, they've been in use in production aircraft for 40 years or more now. They are actually easier to repair as well, although you do need to find a someone with the proper skills to do it.

 

Built #1 sold it
Built #2 sold it
Building #3 to sell it
I’ll just say the market for them is really good
My #2 is on its way out to CO with the new owner as I type this.
I enjoy building them as you can see.
I actually sold my 85 euro QV to help fund my first RV10 back in 2017.
I just purchased a 88 328 GTS hopefully it will be delivered Tuesday from NC.
Getting out of the flying game for awhile but still enjoy building them.


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That's really cool. I'm guessing it's much, much faster the 2nd, and 3rd time around. I met a guy at Smoketown,PA that builds Bearhawks for other people. I'm guessing somewhere near you. He was working on a 6 seater for airline pilot 2 weeks ago.

I've been trying to make the jump to build something. I was thinking something a bit cheaper and simple like a pre-started RV-12 or Rans S-19, but being immediately upside down financially makes it tough to jump. I can buy a used one cheaper than I can build one. RV-10, and 4 Sling tsi have a positive resale value but more intimidating cost and time. I probably need to just stop thinking about it from financial angle. My 12yr old now asks me every single day, if I have found something for him to help build

 

That’s Tim at smoketown that builds the bearhawks. He’s a member of our EAA chapter as well.



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