Tim Crawford (208) 524-2303 tlc@ida.net
Velocity N6Q, an Elite RG model (DMO-384), is the FIFTH canard aircraft I have built. I know how to correctly build classy, strong and light fiberglass canard aircraft! Besides 20 years builder experience and serving a EAA technical advisor (#1684) since 84, I also have an A&P and three engineering degrees (BS/ME, MS/CE, PhD/ME).
The various airframes I have built have safely flown more than 6,000 hours. For example, LongEZ N3R alone has flown more than 3,500 flight hours. The best single indicator of workmanship quality is the empty weight. Even with N6Q's twin electrical systems (two batteries and alternators) and IFR instrumentation, it is the lightest Elite RG's with an empty weight of 1340 pounds. This light weight was made possible by not just good construction technique but also extensive use of carbon and vacuum parts.
N6Q has 160hrs TT and is powered a very smooth Franklin 6A350-C1R 220 HP 6-Cylinder engine. Above 10,000 ft, N6Q cruses at 180 Knots TAS on 8.5 GPH. This is made possible by the efficient electronic ignition which allows hard leaning combined with the Ivoprop Corp. 3-blade adjustable pitch propeller. The adjustable propeller also allows takeoff from very short runways. For safety, the original hub has been changed from a 6 inch to a 7 inch.
N6Q is certified for IFR flight and has a well laid out IFR instrument panel. The RMI engine monitor, at the top of the stack, monitors ALL engine functions. Programmed alarms (fuel, temperatures, RPM, pressures etc) are both displayed and announced in the headset. Below the monitor is an Apollo 2001 Navigation Management System IFR GPS, a KY97A COM and KX-155 NAV/COM with ILS, and a Collins TDR-950 Transponder. To the right is the Sony CD/AM/FM player that is couple to the headsets through a PS Engineering PM2000 stereo intercom. The S-Tec System 50 is a serious auto-pilot. You can select various heading inputs and command altitude hold. The RMI micro-encoder provides many useful performance indicators such as IAS, TAS, Dalt, Palt, OAT, and others. Its alarms (Vne, attitude and others) are also piped to the headset with a tone unique from the engine monitor.
The upper
"master" panel alarms include not only gear status but also indications for:
vacuum pump failure, low voltage, low oil pressure, low fuel, gear, cabin doors not locked
and drag door down. Located upper right about the gear switch are seven gear status LED's.
The three green LED’s announce the gear is down and locked for landing. The three red
LED’s are on when the gear is up AND the gear doors are closed. The single white
light is on when the gear hydraulic pump is running. For ground safety, the gear cannot be
retracted if the flight speed is not greater than 80kts. If the speed falls below 80kts
and the gear is not down, the upper gear light and gear horn indicate you are about to do
something embarrassing. If the flight speed exceeds 120 kts and any of the gear doors are
not closed, the master gear warning light also comes on.
Since each electrical device has a discrete fuse
and there are four sources of bus power (15AH & 25AH batteries and a 8 A & 60 A
B&C alternators) total electrical failure is extremely unlikely. The twin electrical
system also allows a for a easy start procedure. First, the backup electrical system is
used to power the buss and set all the electronic magic and radios. After ATIS, clearance
delivery, navigation and ground chores are handled, one starts the aircraft without
needing to shut down any electronics. After start, the primary electrical system and
alternator are hooked to the buss. Both alternators pass through aggressive inline filters
to remove all noise. Then the buss is further filtered with a 50KuF capacitor. The
alternator electrical filtering is so aggressive, both batteries can be disconnected in
flight and the radio transmissions and stereo tunes are still noise free!
Also, note the cool Ray Allen center control stick. Its seven switches allow convent control of not only the transmitter but also pitch/roll trim and auto pilot disengage and altitude hold.
| The new Elite technology included many light weight parts such as the
center keel, overhead vents and panel, bulkheads and much more. However the most
significant improvement was the introduction of the LARGE gull wing doors. This combined
with the bucket seats made entrance and exit EASY. During door installation, the surrounding structure was "beefed-up" with carbon. This included the addition of a carbon rollover structure. N6Q’s door structure is so stiff that flexing of the structure during door closing is not a problem. To insure flight is not started with a door not latched AND locked, the locked status of the doors is indicated by a master panel LED. |
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| To insure plenty of ventilation, air vents are installed both overhead and
on the floor. The small overhead panel controls ignition off/on, electronic priming of all
6 cylinders, and the starter. Just aft of this panel is a robust hand-hold to further
increase ease of entry. The overhead vent structure also houses four cabin lights, jacks
for headsets, and the selector for cylinder CHT/EGT displayed on the engine monitor. All
six cylinders a selectable. The head liner, backed by foam sound damping material, not only provides an appealing interior but also insures a quite interior. |
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| Not only are the big gull-wing doors easy to enter, but they also lead to
roomy and comfortable back seats. The back seat passengers each have a strake storage area
with a large window and a down looking porthole. The appealing interior extends from head-liner to floor. The floor carpet is backed by 3/8" foam for comfort and sound insulation. The carpet extends up into the strakes and the interior side of the firewall.. |
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Specifications -- Velocity Elite RG N6Q
Builder & Pilot: Tim Crawford
Model: Standard Elite RG
Empty Weight: 1360
Gross Weight : 2250
Certified IFR and positive G aerobatics (no spins)
Paint Color: White Dupont Imron
Primed with 2 part epoxy
PZL Franklin Engine 6A350C1R
6 Cylinder, 205 hp, 350 cu inch rated 220 hp
Compression 10.5 to 1
Serial # 2611100078
FAA Cert # E9EA
One Slick Impulse Magneto
One Electro Air Electronic Ignition system
Marvel Schebler MA-5 Carburetor
IVO Magnum In-flight adjustable propeller w 7" hub
KX-155 NAV/COM w KI-209 ILS head
KY97A COM
Collins TDR-950 Transponder
Rocky Mountain Instrument micro encoder
PS Engineering PM2000 Stereo intercom
RST Marker Beacon
S-Tech System 50 Auto Pilot (heading bug on DG, Nav, or GPS, & approach mode)
Apolo 2001 Navagation Management System (IFR GPS)
SONY EXCD-21 Stereo AM FM CD Player
Airtex ELT
Hobbs Meter (oil pressure switch activated)
Panel lights and dimmers
Four overhead cabin lights
Pitot Heat
Rocky Mountain Instrument engine monitor w ALL sensors
Turn Coordinator (electric S-Tech)
Airspeed (kts/mph)
Attitude Indicator
Altimeter
Whelen wing tip night lights & strobes
Center Console Control Stick
Matco brakes