Experimental Aircraft Models RC Velocity XL maiden flight

Maiden flight of my Experimental Aircraft Models Velocity XL. This kit came out before electric power was more mainstream, and the pusher configuration made it difficult to operate with a glow engine. Fortunately, electric power is getting better all the time, so I decided to tackle this project using a Great Planes Rimfire 1.20 electric motor, Talon 90 ESC, and 6S 5000mah flight pack. I have a general rule to not take photos of a project on maiden day, however, I have another rule that says if you're going to try to fly something sketchy, at least get video of the attempt. Enjoy!

[clevelee]

I just came across this video, some 20 years after I set up Experimental Aircraft Models and 19 since we released the Velocity XL ARF. What a wonderful sight to see! Your choice of the Rimfire 1.2 and 6S was well done. Your observations on the flight characteristics were also spot on....including the long take-off run on grass, the reason for the 3 blade prop and the dirty air causing the prop noise. My early prototypes with the model, for which customers were extremely patient, resulted in replicating the full scale flat spin into the ground incident (fixed by correcting the CG) and a failed canard spar during a steep turn, with the model finding the only rock pile around and complete destruction. The canard spars were then changed to hardwood. I had fun designing the mechanical outward only operating winglet rudders (mimicking the full scale) so that the rudders could be connected with a single Y lead and not use up an additional channel. In 2020 I built up my only remaining Velocity and after trialing a turbine, opted for an electric conversion. Unfortunately the pilot, who I thought had more experience than I, was conservative on the throttle on take-off, rotated early and the canard lifted then stalled.... Really great that you caught this flight on video - made my day. Thanks. Cleve/EAM

[ret]

Dang buddy I didn't know you had one of these! Nice flying

[ThePLANEJIM]

I have two of those Arf's new in the box. One is covered and one is all bare wood on the wing. I am going to let them go for $150 each

[PlaneFunRC]

I have this kit and I’m gonna be building it soon. What did you do to come up with a stronger nose gear set up?

[rovingtraveler]

Looks great. Any updates on the Velocity Project? I am looking for a scale model of a Velocity. Did you buy this as a kit or build it from scratch? Looks like you are having some of the same issues and constrants that full scale Velocity ownes run into. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[MartyRozmanith]

Nice job! Did you build this model by hand? I've been looking for this model kit for a while. Did you find one?

[burkefj]

on my smaller version I had to been the gears that I had some nose up attitude otherwise it would just go full bore all the way down the runway and then all of a sudden pop off at the last minute and you get a tail strike on the prop. with some positive angle with a nose gear a little bit longer is much better to take off and land.

[daviddavids]

thanks for posting. good conversion. some thoughts. when a correctly spec'd E prop is used, prop noise is Always minimal. this prop is too noisy. it is not so easy to correctly spec three-bladed prop; suggest a correctly spec'd slightly larger two-blade E P prop be tried. you may know, generally, prop diameter should be about 25% of ws. what is the auw. why all the weight of a 6s/5000mah power system. imo, take-off roll distance was not excessive. it is not clear whether a well-chosen profile has been used in the design of the main wing. consider whether the wingtip stabs should be made a bit smaller; i don't care if they are 'to scale'. why. because, winglets on a model do NOT operate in the same environment; ie, very different reynolds numbers and mass/inertia values, from those of a full-size airframe. cheers googletranslate

[karmoding]

sadly the 25 ounces of trim weight are necessary. The front wheel in the kit is not bad. I changed it and used a spring loaded one - no good idea. I had to rebuild the canard after the plane began bouncing while landing. My experience: do not land, fly it to the ground. That will say: keep up speed or it kisses the ground too early. Next I mixed flaps into ailerons (15%) what allows a kind of trimming a not so well balanced CG. That helped me a lot finding / confirming the CG of my other canard Designs.

Have fun, that is a really nice looking model.