Velocity Aircraft Velocity RG for Sale — Buy or Sell a Canard Pusher Composite Homebuilt
The Velocity Aircraft Velocity RG is a distinctive and capable canard-configuration composite homebuilt aircraft that has earned a devoted following among performance-oriented builders and pilots since its introduction in the late 1980s. Produced by Velocity Aircraft of Sebastian, Florida, the Velocity RG combines the inherent safety advantages of the canard design — most notably its resistance to conventional stalls — with the speed and efficiency of an all-composite airframe and the convenience of retractable landing gear. With four seats, a pusher propeller configuration, and cruise speeds well above most certified aircraft in its class, the Velocity RG represents a genuine high-performance alternative for pilots who want something beyond the ordinary. Airplane Trade connects buyers and sellers of Velocity RG aircraft worldwide.
Canard Design Philosophy
The Velocity RG's most significant design feature is its canard configuration — a small horizontal stabilizing surface mounted ahead of the wing, rather than the conventional aft tail. This arrangement offers a fundamental safety advantage: because the canard is designed to stall before the main wing, the aircraft will pitch nose-down and self-recover before the main wing can stall, making the classic wing stall and spin scenario essentially impossible in normal flight. Burt Rutan pioneered this approach in the early 1970s with designs like the VariEze and Long-EZ, and Velocity Aircraft developed the Velocity series as a larger, more practical application of the same principles.
The pusher propeller configuration — with the engine mounted in the rear of the fuselage driving a propeller behind the aircraft — provides excellent forward visibility unobstructed by a rotating propeller, reduced cabin noise compared to tractor configurations, and a clean forward fuselage that contributes to aerodynamic efficiency. The all-composite construction using fiberglass and foam core materials delivers a light, strong airframe with superior surface quality and inherent corrosion resistance.
Retractable Gear and Performance
The "RG" designation indicates retractable landing gear — a significant performance advantage over the fixed-gear variants in the Velocity lineup. With the gear retracted, the Velocity RG achieves cruise speeds that approach the performance of turbocharged aircraft while operating on a normally aspirated powerplant. Most Velocity RG aircraft are powered by the Lycoming IO-360 or IO-540 series engines, with common configurations including:
- Cruise speed — 180 to 210 mph depending on engine and altitude
- Range — 800 to 1,200+ miles with standard fuel capacity
- Seating — four seats in a comfortable, spacious cabin
- Fuel burn — 10 to 14 gallons per hour at cruise depending on engine
- Rate of climb — 1,000 to 1,500 feet per minute depending on engine
Cabin Space and Comfort
One of the Velocity RG's most compelling attributes is its generous cabin volume. The wide fuselage accommodates four adults in genuine comfort — a significant advantage over many homebuilt designs that nominally seat four but practically accommodate only two comfortable occupants. The forward-facing seating for all four passengers, panoramic visibility through large windows, and absence of an engine in the front of the aircraft contribute to a quiet, spacious cabin experience that is unusual in the homebuilt category.
The large baggage area in the nose — where the engine would be in a conventional aircraft — provides substantial storage capacity. Many builders configure this space to carry camping equipment, golf bags, or other bulky items that would challenge conventional light aircraft storage.
Building and Buying Considerations
The Velocity RG is sold as a kit through Velocity Aircraft and is built under the Experimental Amateur-Built category. Because canard composite construction differs significantly from conventional aluminum or simple composite techniques, builder experience matters considerably — the most successful Velocity builds are typically those where the builder has taken factory-supported training or has significant prior composite experience. When evaluating a used Velocity RG, pay particular attention to composite structure quality, the condition of the canard and main wing attachment points, landing gear system function, and engine condition. A pre-purchase inspection by an A&P familiar with composite experimental aircraft is essential.
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