Interview Nine: Duane Swing of Velocity Aircraft
The Velocity, by all accounts, is one sexy airplane. A "pusher" in aviation parlance, the rear-mounted engine helps to balance the design, and makes for a quieter cockpit too. The "XL" is for extra large, in that the rear passenger compartment is a bit bigger than the original version, and the "RG" is for retractable gear.
Being made of composite materials, it is a very fast and fuel-efficient design, mainly due to the smooth surfaces and lack of rivets, which most aircraft simply endure. A good friend who flies one regularly often tells me how hard it is to slow down, especially on final approach. It just wants to keep flying… The canard wing on the front also helps keep the aircraft very stable, especially at slow speeds, which is when a lot of other designs begin to get unstable. Duane became the owner of the company almost by chance, after having built one himself. The founder, in failing health, called Duane to gauge his interest, and a deal was struck.
Panel of a Velocity XL RG. ©2013 John Slemp
I found Duane's interview to be fascinating, mainly because the conversation drifted from the initial questions I'd wanted to ask into the overall development of general aviation aircraft, and why it's so expensive to bring a new "certified" design to the market. Enjoy!
Created as part of the Reaching High exhibition, now currently showing at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, until 30 November, 2013.
