EAA Sport Aviation - April 2012

OUR VELOCITY HAD ITS FIRST FLIGHT May 14, 2010, after three years and 11 months of building, and it has more than 100 fun hours on it already. It is our second Velocity and replaces our smaller standard retractable gear. It cruises at 200 knots on a 300-hp Lycoming turning a three-blade Aero Composites constant speed prop. It carries our family of four plus full fuel and 100 pounds of bags. It has a leather interior, two big Grand Rapids creens, and a Dynon D10 and AvMap EKP IV for backup. It also has a Tru Trak autopilot, Infinity stick, all LED Aveo nav/strobes, and an HID (high intensity discharge) landing light. We have flown it on trips up and down the East Coast from New England to Florida and the Bahamas, and we’ve flown into AirVenture twice. Thanks to my A&P, Dennis Glick, for all his help and guidance and to Lancaster Aero Refinishers for the great paint. Most of all, thanks to my wife, Nancy, for supporting me through building a second plane. Check out the build process and our continuing adventures on our website, www.MarksVelocity.blogspot.com. PENNS YLVANIA VELOCITY XL-5RG

Mark Riley, EAA 407445; Glenmoore, Pennsylvania E-mail: the_rileys1@verizon.net

CANADA CORBY STARLET

On August 23, 2011, Corby Starlet C-IIRC
took off on its maiden flight. It was built
over 10 years from plans drawn by John
Corby, an Australian aeronautical engi-
neer. The Starlet has a type certificate in
Australia and has a proven safety record
with hundreds flying all around the
world. This Starlet is powered by an
80-hp Jabiru 2200 engine with a wood
propeller made for the engine by Jabiru.
The performance can only be described
as awesome with a sleek airframe and
only 813 pounds all-up weight. The
conservative test flight demonstrated
1,500 fpm climb at 65 mph. Cruise was
purposely held at 96 mph at half-throt-
tle. VNE is 160 mph, which would be very
easy to exceed if not careful. Stall speed
appeared to be below 40 mph, but the
Starlet was not taken to full stall on the
first flight. Control is rock solid and
extremely responsive. Landing in three-
point attitude takes some practice, but
plenty of control is available. A truly
remarkable little aircraft and well worth
the thousands of hours to build it. John
Corby got it right!

Stan McClure, EAA 656679; Ilderton, Ontario, Canada E-mail: mapleviewfield@gmail.com

I decided to build a Waiex because I thought it was a good value for the dollar. The Sonex people have been great support all the way through the process. Also I liked the looks of the Waiex. This one is a tri-gear with dual sticks, a 3300 Jabiru engine, and AeroCarb carburetors. Avionics are an Enigma EFIS and a Microair radio and transponder. First flight was August 15, 2011, and I was surprised how gently it landed. In the short time I have flown it, people always come up to admire it. The plans are the best in the industry. Most builders will say the canopy was the most challenging part. This is the second airplane that I have built; my first project was a Challenger II. I would like to thank Robert Eley for his support, Kerry Fores for all the tech advice, and the guys in EAA Chapter 277 who lent a hand or gave a little advice. Also, the fellows at Sonex. I can’t say enough about Matt at MGL, who was always spot on when I quizzed him about a problem. Lastly my wife, Gina, for all the work on the interior.