Velocity XL

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Velocity XL
Velocity JII D-EAVI r.jpg
Velocity XL with fixed-gear
Role Homebuilt aircraft
Manufacturer Velocity, Inc.
Number built 229 (December 2011)

The Velocity XL (XL: Extra Large) is an American amateur-built aircraft, produced by Velocity, Inc.. It is an enlarged version of their Velocity SE canard pusher design.[1][2]

Design and development

Gear retraction of a Velocity on takeoff

The Velocity XL is 12 in (310 mm) longer and has a 20 in (510 mm) greater span than the SE.[3] The standard XL is powered by either a Lycoming IO-540 of 260 to 300 hp (194 to 224 kW) engine or a Continental IO-550 310 hp (231 kW) and has a cruising range of 875 nautical miles (1,620 km; 1,007 mi) and a 75% power cruising speed of 185 knots (213 mph; 343 km/h) air speed.[2][4][5]

The XL is available in both fixed gear (FG) and retractable gear (RG) form and can accommodate either three or four passengers plus a pilot. The five seat versions, the XL-5 and the TXL-RG-5, have a rear bench seat for three rather than the alternative separate pair.[1][2][5][6]

Variants

Velocity XL-RG
Velocity XL-FG
Fixed landing gear version, typically powered by Continental IO-550 engine of 310 hp (231 kW) and gross weight of 2,700 lb (1,225 kg). Forty had been completed and flown by December 2011.[1]
Velocity XL-FG-5
Fixed landing gear version, typically powered by Continental IO-550 engine of 310 hp (231 kW) and gross weight of 2,900 lb (1,315 kg). Twenty-one had been completed and flown by December 2011.[1]
Velocity XL-RG
Retractable landing gear version, typically powered by Continental IO-550 engine of 310 hp (231 kW) and gross weight of 2,700 lb (1,225 kg). 150 had been completed and flown by December 2011.[1]
Velocity TXL-RG-5
Retractable landing gear version, powered by Continental TSIO-550 engine of 310 hp (231 kW) and gross weight of 2,900 lb (1,315 kg). Eighteen had been completed and flown by December 2011.[1]

Rocket Racers

Rocket Racer at Tulsa International Airport, April 2010

The Rocket Racing League is utilizing a highly modified Velocity XL FG airframe and an Armadillo Aerospace 2,500 pound thrust liquid oxygen (LOX) and ethanol rocket engine in both its Mark-II X-Racer and Mark-III X-Racer demonstration vehicles. The Mark-II utilizes a standard fixed-gear Velocity XL airframe, modified for the addition of rocket propulsion. The Mark-III airframe was more extensively customized during manufacture explicitly for rocket racer use, with canopy top, center seat and control stick, and other enhancements in addition to the rocket propulsion added to the Mark-II.[7]

Specifications (XL-RG, 310 hp Continental engine)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2013/14[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity: Three
  • Length: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m)
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m) rear wing; forewing 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.56 m)
  • Wing area: 102 sq ft (9.5 m2) rear wing.
  • Empty weight: 1,700 lb (771 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,701 lb (1,225 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 265 L (58 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental IO-550 air-cooled flat six, 310 hp (230 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Catto

Performance

  • Cruising speed: 236 mph; 205 kn (380 km/h) normal at 75% power
  • Stall speed: 75 mph; 65 kn (121 km/h)
  • Range: 1,150 mi (999 nmi; 1,851 km) at 65% power
  • G limits: +9/-7
  • Take-off run: 1,300 ft (396 m)
  • Landing run: 1,500 ft (457 m)

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 75. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 125. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Rocket Racing League Announces Milestone Development in X-Racer, press release, 2010-03-10, accessed 2010-05-03.

External links

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