CBarber

Yes, it is me that has the Mistral intake, however, even though they got it here pretty fast and the unit is really nicely done, they always made it seem as if we were a mild annoyance. I have had the unit for a few years now and I may have just been lucky and got in a window when they wanted to please the experimental market and/or toying with the idea but decided we would be a distraction from certification. They kinda have an attitude as if they have the well proven and established company that does not need to be bothered by the little guy. I have always been confused by their marketing as it would seem to me if they had components installed on flying airplanes it would help establish them in the aviation community. Also, the price for the non-certified engine seems too much. Again, it would seem to be in a much more competitive price point would help get them in flying planes and support their efforts down the road. I understand that development is expensive and I applaud their efforts, however, if you don't become trusted in the market by actually flying you will never recover the investment. You are prone to be just another good idea that turns into vapor. I understand that they are focusing on getting the engine certified but as of right now they are not, even though they are charging certified prices, even though they can only currently be installed in EXPERIMENTAL craft. Also, they did not provide any documentation, which may have given me a heads up as to my current issue of getting coolant in the rotor housing (I originally thought I blew the oil rings in a second engine, but now it seems as if coolant was coming in from around the intake...on this and the previous engine). On this note, they also did not provide any tech support at all....however, to be fair, we knew that going in but did expect some basic documentation. All that being said, I am really happy with the intake itself. I could not have made it with the skill level I had then. NOW, that I have seen a proper unit, it may not be as difficult (ok, I still do not have the skill, but I have a much better understanding ). I would try to place the injectors in a bit different position as not to stick out so much and cause interference with the turbo. All the best, Chris

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah:ROTFLMAO: Dirty old man....Grizzly....Dirty mature woman....cougar. Funny, sad?, fun....HEY, I am still akickin' What others call "dirty" I call HEALTHY! oh....rotary, aileron and thrust (ok, couldn't resist the last one). On a real note, I may not have to rebuild my new rotary. It seems as if, HOPEFULLY, that I did not blow my oil rings, but may have been sucking in coolant from the intake feeds. The Mistral intake did not cover properly some of the coolant passages that originally fed fluid to the stock intakes but is not used in our application. I never noticed it 'til I and two others checked it out and made the discovery. I have sealed it all up now and placing the engine back on my bird, in addition to a larger radiator and the larger stock oil cooler. Hoping y'all get a chance to check it all out during your visit. All the best, Chris

Yeah, I am in my late 30's....my really late 30's......and of course, by that, I mean I am 47 Geesh, I have never been this old before. I know it cuz I am completely invisible to "20 something" year old girls....ah, who needs em:p All the best, Chris

So, what age range are you looking??????? My small department, Bellaire (making national news for a police shooting on New Years....sigh, the media bs) has a full set of age ranges......25 - 55, black, white, brown, sorry, no asians currently.....you can pretty much pick and choose...well, other than the asian thing:p I am trying to make arraingments to be off in the evening that day as I really hope to meet y'all and show off my project....even though it looks like hell right now:) All the best, Chris

IIRC Velocity only uses two epoxies in larger quantities, EZPoxy and Velocipoxy (which is just a bulk purchase of AlphaPoxy relabled for copyright reasons or some such issue). Velocipoxy/AlphaPoxy is NOT structural. They also use a five minute epoxy in small quantities and AeroPoxy in certain structual situations, such as bonding the bulkheads to the fuselage. All the best, Chris

Nope. Does not bother me at all. All the best, Chris

Thanks. My Velocity chums and I appreciate the effort:) All the best, Chris

No worries. I enjoy the discussion. I have wondered about these alternative cooling units too. "Aviation Consumer" has done a couple of reviews on them. If you subscribe you can access the articles online. I do not know how seriously I would have been about the A/C but this unit kinda fell out of the sky into my lap. Who am I to look the gift horse in the mouth. Also, I have vivid memories of how really hot it does get on the ramp. I have had sweat so thick streaming into and burning my eyes that I almost didn't want to go fly. I hear it is not as bad in the Velocity with the gull wings up, but I doubt it is pleasant. All the best, Chris

"Hey, y'all, watch this" I am convinced are the most dangerous words in the English language, well, at least hear in Texas. Ad strong Southern accent for effect. Well, even though I had to chase down and fight a felon day before yesterday, as a rule they see more action on Cops in 30 minutes than we do all month. Great show though. It tickles me to see an officer on break watching Cops....hell, I have done it. That or Reno 911 DWI is kinda interesting. Everyone seems to agree how bad it is....until they are caught up in it and then it is the cops fault:confused: hmmmmmmm? I did work my first fatality on New Years morning....23 year old asian kid with a 2.8 boc. He hit the freeway exit barrells at speed, went airborn and inverted and came down on the windshield and hood of a passing SUV. He was "DRT", the driver of the SUV was uninjured...I told the driver of the SUV it was her lucky day and that she should go buy a lottery ticket. I was lucky and did not have to break it to his mother. Sorry, no more preaching. Build on. All the best, Chris

Yes, I have done this....my hangar mate tells me it is a very expensive go-cart. He also says it looks a bit like what he would have thougt cars of the future would look like, after all were were supposssed to have flying cars by now. I have a video of some taxi test from this summer on Youtube. Search on Velocity and rotary and you should be able to find it. All the best, Chris

Some realy breathtaking photo's Not meaning to nit, but I do not recall seeing even one Velocity. Is there something we should know? All the best, Chris

Agreed. My hangar is basicly my lodge. I have considered putting a Moose head on one wall but I am not a hunter so I figured it would be too pretentious. I do have an old rear projection big screen, Direct-TV, Tivo, computer (interet sometimes when my current girl brings her aircard) and some nice Bose speakers for my Ipod (the Bose speakers were a present as I would have spent the money on plane parts). I REALLY like to be out at my hangar and try to make it comfortable for my S/O so she does not bit....uh, express concerns about being out there as much. I really need to find a nice used recliner ofr two. Of course I prefer sitting on my wheeled stools rolling around to different parts of the project. Heck, for what we pay in hangar rent I otta get all the use out of it I can:mad: All the best, Chris:cool2:

The system is all electronic and does cut out in climb and high temps. Everything is automatic. It astonishes me how well thought out the system is. It is apparant it is designed by real pilots for real airplanes.....even if for those pilots with pretty deep pockets;) . The load of the compresor is minimal compared to systems of just a few years ago. I have some pix of the Velocity, Inc install should anyone be interested....I think Blaine said it was ok to post 'em. I will check to verify. I don't recall if it is still in the prototype model at Velocity, Inc and what their feelings are. Blaine did say I could discuss it though as I think it is pretty kewl...no pun intended....well, maybe a bit. Hopefully my project will be a flying advertisment for his system as I hope he can offer it to the general homebuilt community. If not him, through Velocity, Inc as they have always been pretty good about allowing non-Velocity builders purchase items from them. If curious the name of his company is Seamec...uh, perhaps Seamech? Oh, and in my install the condensor in not currently slated to be in front of the radiator. My radiator was/is too big to fit under the engine with the Velocity cowl, however the condensor is much smaller and should fit. It is where Velocity, Inc is installing it in the Lyc installations, fed by a very small and thin belly scoop. So a bit of drag for a even cooler airplane....ok, that time the pun was intended. All the best, Chris

Air conditioning in Aircraft. John Slade….and others. I recall that you really wanted to install air conditioning in your Cozy at one time. IIRC, SWMBO, Char, really liked the idea too. What has become of that plan now that the plane is flying. Is it less of an issue now that you have turned into a “damned Yankee”….uh, sorry, I mean moved up north (heck, I thought “damn-Yankee” was one word ‘till I as twenty-three yoa ). Ok, maybe this is rhetorical since I will be attempting it anyway but my close friend Blain Streeter owns the company that supplies air conditioning units to the likes of Cirrus, Cessna, Moony etc. Based on my superior persuasive skills...and the luck of the draw, Blain is working with Velocity, Inc to provide very nice, very light (relatively) a/c systems to Velocity owners. Being the great guy he is, Blain has offered and has provided the parts to install this system in my plane as and R&D project….even though all the systems are proven and certified in other airplanes. My bird allows him hands on experience with a Velocity/canard/homebuilt. He is putting one in the RV-7 he is building (he also has a Bonanza…tough life). I am on a non-disclosure as to pricing but he made me an offer I could not refuse. IIRC, his unit is over 30% lighter that what the manufacturers were using and if fully automatic. So, other than me just bragging at my good fortune, what are ya’lls thoughts on A/C in A/C? In Houston on the ramp in spring, summer and fall there is a very good argument for the extra weight, cost and complexity, however, since I am also a lawyer, I can argue the other side too in that they are superfluous. I would enjoy others musings on the issue while I determine my next engine rebuild and retrofitted install. All the best, Chris

Yeah, and four years ago I was practicing law full time instead of the 'drive fast and carry a Taser" thing I do now. My practive focus in on Elder Law issues, including end of life and probate matters. Either way, I really hope you can make it and we can arrainge something. I live about five minutes from Hobby in one direction and about five minutes from Ellington in the other direction, However, I work in the City of Bellaire (central-ish Houston). Just keep us posted. All the best, Chris

I already have an engine mount, but I would be honored to have the opportunity to host the famous "Grrrrrls" out at the hangar to share my project. My Velocity is at Ellington Airport, EFD,(formerly Ellington Field but the city felt it needed an upgraded name) which is on the SE side on the way to Clear Lake/Nasa and Galveston. IIRC y'all are familiar with Houston. When do you expect to be in town? My regular work schedule is a bit screwy being a cop. I usually work 2:30pm to 11:00pm Tuesday - Saturday, however, next week Feb 2 I am in a supervisor class and will be out around 5:00pm. Also, depending on manpower at the PD, I have plenty of time that I can take off. Also, I believe David Moyer (?) lives in Kingwood (far northeast Houston) and is building a rotary Cozy. Maybe he could make it down too. Let me know more details and we can hopefully make it happen. I relish the idea of meeting y'all and picking your brains for insight about canards and the rotary. All the best, Chris Barber 832-818-CELL (2355)

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.......... :banana: :banana: I really love the banana's All the best, Chris Can't snicker too much...I have not been banished YET!

I may have determined why my Jeffco failed in my fuel strakes. As loyal fans may remember I had to remove all the old epoxy/Jeffco from my strakes and redo them completely a couple of months ago due to the Jeffco peeling away. Well, as I was poking around the hangar looking for something I had placed as to be able to find it easy later......yeah, right, I came across my old Jeffco bottles. Hmmmm, the Hardener is labeled 3191 and the Resin is labeled 9700. Now, I remember that when I ordered it a few years ago it was 9700. I remember specifically as when I first ordered from AS&S they sent the wrong stuff and I returned it for the 9700. THIS time I ordered new Jeffco, but choose not to use it and just use straight EZpoxy for my strakes, however, in the new order BOTH the Hardener AND the Resin were labeled 9700. My current thought is that I used the Hardener that AS&S supplied with the kit assuming (yeah, bad Chris for assuming) that it was the correct one to use with the 9700 Resin....which is what I knew to be the proper number. It was not until the new order arrived a few months ago and I saw both the hardener and resin are both 9700 and finding the original bottles from a few years ago that I would have ever discovered a problem. FWIW. All the best, Chris

Actually, what generated the grin was just sitting my MY plane and having the rotary engine I built make sweeeeet music:cool: All the best, Chris

Wow, and I thought some of MY post were whimsical, irrelevant and distracting.......thanks, I need the competition to stay sharp All the best, Chris P.S. I would like to nominate Marc Zeitlin for the most improved poster award. I am enjoying his remarks much more now that his humor is shining through. Now, not only is he strikingly accurate, mindful and thorough, he makes me grin as well. I knew you had it in you Marc.

I can't really say I am an expert, but I am in the more final areas of my Velocity w/a 13b rotary build out at Ellington Field. My glass work is all but done and I have been in this build since 2002 (started with some confidance after going to the SportAir composite and electrical workshops (also, the Bob Knuckles workshop which we hosted) I am the past presedent of EAA 12, Houston's EAA chapter. My hangar mate, Richard Sessions is the curent president and is restoring a VariEZ. Our next meeting is this coming Wednesday at 7:00 pm at "Southwest Services" at Ellington Field. You may be able to get Richards number from the Chapter 12 website, www.eaa12.org My cell phone is broken but I should be getting a replacement VERY soon (it drives my S/O nuts to not be able to call me on my leash....uh, cell phone. My leashes number is 832-818-CELL (2355). I am a cop in Bellaire and work til 11:00 pm the next two nights, so if you are near by, flag one of us down and ask for Cpl Barber. I would be pleased to help as I can. Also, I am a lawyer, so I can help with the sale.....or not....too much liability being a lawyer these days <g>. OH, I just noticed you are in Ft Worth (my ex was from there), so I guess you won't be driving by.... At $3500 I don't think you can go too wrong. Where is the plane located? As I said, I work in Bellarie, just south of the Galleria but I live in SE near Ellington Field...but, since I have lived in Houston most my years, driving around this huge town is second nature. All the best, Chris:cool:

YEAH, What Edge said. Funny how we will major in the minor....now, that being said, if you can loose both places all the better. Hmmmmmm, I wonder how much me droping abut 40 lbs AGAIN (can we say yo-yo ) would be worth in the aviation market......not to say in the Nutrisystem market. I did use a lot of peel ply, especially in the beginning. I am about to go read the links Marc posted in 03. When I starte I was told the peel ply soaked out the extra epoxy, so I was always under that impression until I read otherwise a few years ago. Now, I don't really kow.....but I just keep building and trying to progress. I don't want analysis paralysis to over burnden me (I really need a spell checker on this thing) Oh well, back to serving and protecting tonight til 0300 hrs, saving folks from themselves and others....but tomorrow I should be starting the new year back out at the hangar. I sooooooo hope this plane is an "09 model". I started in 02....geesh, where does the time go? It is fun though. Back out to turn Dino's into decibls as I tweek my rotary. Happy new year. All the best, Chris

One good thing about my little Jeffco/strake, uh.....mishap, is that when I cut the top sections out of the strakes it was well above the seam line. I am not sure how the V/L/Co-Z's do it, but on the Velocity the strakes consist of a top and a bottom strake half. After you install the lower strake "shell" to the bottom of the spar and the fuselage and fit the baffles, you lay the top half on top and weigh it down. A problem area can be were the top and bottom meet at the strake leading edge since it is basicly glued together with a thick and gooy mix of epoxy/flox/micro...what have you. There is no glass on the inside of this seam to bring this together...there is just goo in the seam and then glass on the outside leading edge. Sooooo, since I had access to the back of this un-glassed area at the seam, I was able to add glass and epoxy hopefully all but eliminating this as a area of concern. I hate that I have had to deal with this issue, but am taking this addition as a minor victory none-the-less:cool: It is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good to feel like I am moving forward again and not just getting back to where I was. All the best, Chris:)

I am not as cavalier as Mr. Melvill, and I do use nitrate gloves but I have never had any issue with working with the epoxy of raw glass cloth and, thankfully I am all but done with that phase fo my build....hopefully. I did not know how lucky I was. However, cutting curred glass, yeeeeaouch. Now that can itch. All the best, Chris

As y'all likely remember I had to redo my strakes following finding my Jeffco fuel tank sealant had failed a few months ago. A few days ago I applied some micro on my hopefully repaired strakes. I still have to smooth and pretty up the micro, but to get away from the fiberglass work fo a bit I decided to add fuel to my new strake tanks and calibrate my newly installed Atkinson fuel gages. I had about 25 gallons that I added one gallon at a time, 1/2 gallon to each side. The Velocity has a center sump tank that the two strake tanks dump into. So I added fuel to each side in approximatly equal amounts to allow everything to equalize better. I filled the sump tank first and it took just under five gallons. Nothing seemed to leak confirming my air pressure test with ballons a while back. Ok, here is the good part. On a wild hair I turned power on to the plane to see if the rotary engine would turn over after sitting dormant for the last few months with only an occasional hand rotation of the prop. Not only did it turn over, it started. Wahoo. I shut it down right away as I was not in a position to play.....uh, ummm, work on it. But I was tickled it started almost immediatly. After having to redo my strakes, this was a nice little experience for me. I am off work tomorrow and I hope to get out to the hangar to clean it up after a lot of fiberglass work. Maybe I will "play" with the engine a bit too. All the best, Chris