July 4, 2001

Site initially posted.  We're busily working on our pilot's certificates while preparing the financing and insurance to get our Standard Velocity FG ordered.  The folks at Velocity have been really helpful and patient, which gives us a good feeling about our choice.

July 8, 2001

Well, it looks like delivery might be postponed.  Although we've secured financing from (Nafco), our insurance company (Avemco) would require Hull Insurance (the equivalent of comprehensive coverage on a car) if we want to fly it with a lien on the aircraft.  Since that coverage would be approximately $6,000 a year, we will probably finance very little of the aircraft.

Also, we went to our first EAA Chapter meeting today at Waynesville airport (Chapter 284) and got a lot of really good advice.  One major point was that the Velocity XL represents a good value, so we're leaning that way today.  I'll keep you posted.

July 25, 2001

We went to Osh Kosh this year for AirVenture.  If you haven't been and you love planes, you're cheating yourself.  We drove, and it took us about 6 1/2 hours.  We arrived late Wednesday and set up camp.  The facilities really are first rate for a camping retreat, and we spent the next three days talking to the vendors and checking out planes.  The weather was wonderful for the majority of the trip.

While we were in Osh Kosh, we spoke with the VP of underwriting at Avemco (Tom Langhaus, I believe was his name), who assured us that the difficulty we'd had with his company was an anomaly.  We came away satisfied enough to place our deposit on the Velocity XL FG.  For a discussion of why, read this.

Everything about this trip was great, but a few highlights.  The P-51 fly-by really was awe inspiring, as were the Corsair fly-bys.  We saw and took pictures of several privately owed Velocitys, as well as talked to many of the owners about the building process, the company, and the plane.  The seemed a very satisfied bunch, though we were universally boo-ed for buying the quick build version as though it was cheating.  We received several offers of flights, which we hope to take advantage of some day, and actually got to go for a demo flight in the factory's XL.  WOW.  What can I say, it's fast, climbs like a dream, and even kept a pair of student pilots from doing anything dumb.  It's also simply huge inside, and looks like a UFO in flight.

We also attended the Velocity dinner and met at length with the Swings and associates.  These folks really seem to care about their customers.  I've since signed up for Ric Lavoie's official newsletter "Velocity Views", and am busy catching up on the back issues.