The Velocity Project - Page 28

The first task for this session was to remove the engine plenum for painting and finishing.

The plenum directs pressurized air from the ducts on top of the aircraft over the cylinders and cylinder heads.

It was also necessary to fabricate and install an aluminum baffle for the cylinder nearest the firewall (not shown).

The four major parts of the plenum have been removed from the engine for sanding and finishing.

There is a front and back half, and two ducts that run from the air intakes to the top of the plenum.

The complicated parts come pre-formed from Velocity, but a lot of trimming, fitting and finishing is required.

After some filler and much sanding, the plenum has been painted and re-installed on the engine.

Here is another view of the engine and plenum.

The propeller governor, the small round device seen here just forward of the propeller and just aft of the plenum, was adjusted for the proper speed just prior to the test flight.

In preparation for the test flight, all compartments were opened and inspected.  This is the nose compartment, just above the canard.

The parts seen in this picture are the pitch trim spring and motor, the autopilot pitch servo, and the vacuum air filter, with the panel wiring in the background.

The aircraft leaves the hangar for it's first flight out of the runway environment.  It took off immediately, retracted the gear, climbed rapidly to altitude, and flew perfectly on the first flight.

After some minor adjustments to the air intake ducts and the replacement of a connector on the trim motor, a second flight was made in the afternoon with no additional problems encountered.

With Scott Swing at the controls, N222TZ climbed to about 3000 feet in the vicinity of Sebastian airport.  The only problems encountered were a trim motor with the polarity reversed, and cylinder head temperatures slightly higher than nominal.  Flight controls and speeds were completely normal with no adjustment or shims needed..