Velocity Models
The Prototype
- See Maher_N401DM
The prototype was built in 7 months, and first flew in the summer of 1985. It weighed 1,100 pounds empty, with a gross weight of 2,550 pounds and a Lycoming 180 HP engine and composite prop (built by Danny Maher). Cruise was claimed as 220 MPH. Flight testing of the prototype was completed in mid-October 1985, and thus did not attend Osh Kosh Airventure, but was debuted at Sun-n-Fun in 1986. That first airplane, with a serial number of DMO40, was registered as N401DM. This airplane was flown by Billy Henederson of Sport Aviation, who noted 1500-200 fpm climb rates and a top end of 184 kts. This first aircraft also featured a retractable nose gear. Note that the original aircraft did not have full-length rudders. The serial numbers started with DMO-Dan Maher Original, number 40. The fuselage was 42 1/4" wide, 40" high, and 81" long. The main wing area was 96.4 square feet and the canard was 19.75 square feet, for a total area of 116.15 square feet and a gross loading of 19.37 lbs/sqft. The outer wing panels are modified Long-EZ panels, but the strakes and canard are of a unique design. Roncz vortillions were added to the main wings.
The first kit
The aileron push-pull cables were Morse marine style, because Maher was familiar with their operation. The brake master cylinders were from the Datsun/Nissan B210's clutch. Build time was estimated at 800-1000 hours with the kit in the $18,000 range. The kit featured 43 1/2" wide fuselage, 41" high, and 81" long. The size of the wings and canards are slighty increased compared to the prototype. Danny is the registered builder of 4 Velocitys (DMO040, DMO100, DMO255, and 029; N401DM, N7044Q, N255DM, and N4253M registration). (NOTE: The advertised wing dimensions on production aircraft were a span of 28.63 FT, for a wing area of 125 SQFT, and wing loading of 19.6 lbs/SQFT).
Due to the "deep stall" issue, 60" leading edge cuffs were offered to existing aircraft owners. The cuffs are required for DMO serial numbers below 115.
The 173
The 173 (later known as the "Long Wing") was offered in 1992. The name was a play on the Cessna 172, and was meant to tame the handling characteristics to the point where any pilot could comfortably handle it. The 173 was intended to be unpaved-runway-capable, with sturdier gear that stand about 2.5" taller than the original, with bigger 6.00x6 main wheels, more wing and canard (20%) span, and a thicker airfoil, and a 58 MPH stall speed and 190 MPH top speed. The wing trailing edge was extended to the aft edge of the tip sails, and the aft inboard camber was changed. The new "Standard" wing dimension were 29.4' span, 122 SQFT wing area, and the 173/Long Wing dimensions were 31' span, 145 SQFT wing area.
The Elite
The Elite gull-wing door was first offered in 1995, and had a center keel instead of a seat-back bulkhead.
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