Chevy LS3 Powered VELOCITY kitplane FIRST FLIGHT!

[@scottchilly1]

Wow! rough crowd... when someone puts their heart and soul into this 15-year build, you have to take your hat off to them no matter what the changes that need to be made. The machine is a work of art that has now taken the amazing leap to be airborne. What an achievement and thrill that must be. Hats off to you Len!!!

[@AlanMydland-fq2vs]

thats dedication

[@above7833]

Nice job !

[@stretchcvb5632]

Nice plane but that rev limiter will caused that engine to fail. Somebody has to say something

[@EatPezzzz]

I've built, tuned, wired, etc at least 100 LS swapped cars. I also coincidentally bought an LS1 powered Velocity SE because the price was right. Yada, yada, yada, it now has a TIO-360 in it. I love the LS engine, but not in my airplane. WAAAAY too many single points of failure.

[@oceanhome2023]

⁠@@EatPezzzzwhat is the TIO-360 ?

[@len3396]

Thanks to all for your congratulations on my first flight. Even after 35 years of flying, being my own test pilot is certainly an exhilarating experience full of adrenaline!! A BIG shout out to Mark for documenting the build of the plane and my wild first flight. It’s been great fun and a learning experience to look back on the videos and relive it again …….thanks again Mark. Another big shout out to all the Velocity builders and owners who have been an amazing network of inspiration, information and support!! Phase 1 testing of an experimental aircraft is typically 40 hours and each flight you are able to assess both the aircraft and the pilot ….. Constant improvement! The engine is geared to the propeller and the propeller must not exceed 2700 RPM. The propeller is inflight adjustable for pitch, which I have increased for both takeoff and cruise. Now that I have a few flights under my belt, hitting the rev limiter is not an issue. Velocity planes are extremely responsive to the controls and once they’re tuned in are a delight to fly. On my first flight I did determined that I had to make an adjustment to the aileron trim and wing incident, which has resolved the twitchy controls that I experienced on that first flight. The second flight it was a delight and I was able to put the gear up and down a number of times. On future flights I hope to get an initial reading on fuel burn at a given speed once I have followed the protocol in the flight manual to confirm no flutter issues as speed increases. I’ll post a comment when performance figures are available. Thanks again to all for the kind comments and suggestions. Cheers Len

[@justtwoseats]

Looks like a great plane, look forward to seeing performance numbers

[@allan80supra]

rev limiter is bad when used for long durations at full power! what ecu are you using on the engine? I'd highly suggest you use a throttle by wire setup and limit RPM that way.

[@chrisharris3807]

Congrats on a great build! Love the Velocity and LS engines so this thing is the best of both worlds for me!

[@curvs4me]

Len it's great that the pitch is helping avoid the limiter. I'd be remiss if I didn't say anything about that. With a gear drive it is particularly bad. It's constantly taking up the mechanical slack under prop load and then reversing slack under engine friction load with every engine cut. Like a hammer in the reduction drive and bearing load. With the servo control throttle bodies you can use a control strategy to start reducing throttle 500 rpm before cut for example. With a mechanical throttle body you can also achieve that by retarding the ignition timing at X RPM before cut with the hard cut remaining in place. Timing is still used when using a servo control throttle body as well. For a servo control throttle body you can install an arm for emergency throttle control in case of servo failure. Ok I got that out of the way. I absolutely love the build and brilliant engine choice. It should be super efficient and powerful at the same time. That's a nice low RPM, the engine is not working hard at all.

[@wylieecoyote]

Congrats! I have watched your progress videos over the years and am glad to see you in the air!

[@richardhole8429]

In my 12 years with Velocity I have witnessed many first flights. Congrats, your plane is gorgeous.

[@Rebaisababydoll]

Congratulations Len!! 15 years is a long time - it looks like it was well worth it!! She is a beauty!

[@Orvillehuit33]

Man! 15 years .. way to stay committed.. I hope you enjoy it

[@garyreed2206]

Nice airplane (Love Velocities). For my comment, I am going to disagree that running the engine and letting a Rev Limiter cut in and out like that is NOT "OK". The power fluctuating between Max Power/Zero Power/Max Power/Zero Power is very stressful on the crankshaft and propeller. And, if you do the math with percent of time with ignition on/ignition off, you are only getting that percentage of max power. I would disable or at least increase the rev limiter, the PROPELLER Governor should be your primary rev limiter (with maybe the rev limiter at a higher setting as an emergency backup). Otherwise, congratulations on an awesome accomplishment.

[@watermanveteran7198]

I agree doesn’t sound good at all and the internal stresses going on can’t be right. Bad engine/prop combo, if that’s normal. Beautiful plane though!

[@StubProductions]

Indeed. I concur

[@FlyingShotsman]

Absolutely! Average power is significantly decreased and the power pulses from the rev limiter action are going to destroy the gearbox. This is a very dangerous way to operate the engine. Rev limiting should be accomplished aerodynamically by setting a fine pitch limit on the prop governor; the engine rev limiter should be a failsafe only.

[@calfeggs]

Yeah I can't imagine that being good for the gear box, it may be able to handle it on paper but seems like it's hammer against bearings and gear mesh play. There's got to be a better way to limit the RPM. Seems like a steeper pitch prop would help as well as get more power out of the engine and perhaps run at a lower RPM during cruise.

[@TheSoaringChannel]

I don't understand why he doesn't give it more pitch and less throttle to keep it off the limiter. And as an engine tuner - I humbly suggest he looks into a less stressful cut method. The one he's using wastes a lot of fuel. Fuel cut rev limiting with ignition cut at least will save some fuel, and nothing bad happens from it if you cut the ignition prior to the fuel cuts. This can be accomplished in many aftermarket ecu's. Then there's also the potential of using a Bosch DBW (drive by wire) throttle. These employ all the fail-safes you'd expect. But the benefit is you can automagically have it close the blade to reduce power to avoid the limiter from hitting so frequently. This is like using a governor, except it can also react to oil temps, coolant temps, knock detection, and so many other things. If I had to guess: the fixed pitch prop he chose is probably temporary while he determines just how big and steep of a pitch he may need. A fixed pitch makes calibrating the engine controls easy. But a variable pitch prop will naturally yield far far more efficiency than the current config. If it was me? Bigger and steeper pitch prop, preferably constant speed.

[@blacklisterd]

Wow 15 years & in 16 minutes of a video most of the comments know more then the builder. Great job on a beautiful plane.

[@user-eh5cr4or6k]

It's amazing how perceived anonymity makes every keyboard worry on the internet and expert on everything, sad part is if they would just remember what most mothers told them how much nicer of a place this world would be if they kept their mouth shut unless they had something productive or nice to say

[@simoncorporation3]

Just saw the video, have been following this project, Len Baxter is definitely a brave man and he backs up his work, definitely earned the rewards from all that labor on top of that the man respects the Creator, good luck and enjoy your new aircraft Mr Baxter.

[@2thelimitandthensome]

Len - Congratulations on developing a new airframe/power plant combination and bringing it to flight! You are in an elite and small club of aerospace pioneers, my hat off to you sir! Mark - Great job on combining the various views and commentary into an action packed and exciting video! Ken & Mark - Please continue this content, and please help us learn the knowledge you are gaining from this effort. I would love to see or hear about the checks between flights, the taxi testing build up before the flights, how the dynamic balance on the prop was fixed, the checks & measurements that were done on engine cooling, etc. The knowledge about how to do an auto conversion on another airframe in general is really a legacy that you both could pass down to further generations of aviation developers. Thanks for sharing and God Speed!

[@terrallputnam7979]

I have watched this build with great interest. It has everything I really like. I think Canard planes are super cool, and I am a huge LS engine fan. This plane brings it all together! What a beautiful plane!!!

[@Badge-vo7hq]

Beautiful build

[@oceandust5346]

Awesome plane! Thank you for taking the time to share this with us!

[@pinkdoughnut869]

Crazy thing. I’ve just rewatched him running this in his driveway from an old video maybe a week ago. I’ve watched it Many times. I’m a vette owner and a pilot. I was just wondering the other day what ever happened to this dude. Then boom. He flew it. Popped up On yt. Congrats !!!

[@CrossWindsPat]

Fellow vette owner and pilot as well! I guess that’s not too rare though.

[@justsomeguy1181]

Sounds like it will be ready for more prop pitch soon. I think Len and Mark are similar in nature since this plane is sooo well put together. The interior, though unfinished, looks better than a lot of kit planes I've seen when they were finished. I can see its shaping up to be fantastic. Auto engines are obviously the way to go: Ford ran an EcoBoost F150 for 130k miles doing all kinds of stunts including winning its class in the Baja 1000, and 24 hours towing at max throttle. When they tore it down at SEMA, it was like new. I wish we could have seen how Peter Muller's Audi diesel was going to last; but, you know, it ate corn. I hope Mark does more of these to show us how Len is doing on the flight tests.

[@lutomson3496]

The ford broncos that raced by the ford team in and some DNF 2019 and 2020 and beat by the Baja Boot running a 6.2 liter Chevy engine? That ford engine?

[@ultimajp]

I love the ford eco boost. I’m curious how much it weighs compared to an ls though

[@brettsanderson8680]

@@ultimajp Depending on the EB the LS weighs about 5-15lbs more. LS3 is 454lbs dry, 3.5EB is 449lbs dry, and 2.7EB is 440lbs Dry. Between the two I would honestly prefer the eb in an aircraft application. Much higher torque at much lower rpm due to the baby turbos... plus, as its turbocharged, it wont suffer as much power loss with higher altitude and in the proper application gives you the innate ability to pressurize the cabin.

[@jd1029]

Len, I was at your home airport this past Sunday and got to witness a landing in person. Nice job on the airplane!

[@shimy333]

congrats!!.. 15 years is a long time to taste the fruits .. i love these planes

[@tetttettamilli6761]

"Thank you Lord for a wonderful day" Amen!! I have a hundred questions, and so I'll have to go and gather my self, this first flight was nothing short of a serious shot of adrenaline.

[@glennoropeza3545]

Congratulations on your labor of love! I enjoyed following your Velocity build! Look forward on the gear-up videos!

[@Fastwater1064]

Great job Len, so proud for you! Been following for a long time. Can’t wait to see more of the journey to come.

[@sunmanav8]

I live just south of 9G2 and when I heard that V8 fly over I knew something special was happening. Congrats on the awesome accomplishment Len! A great example of persistence paying off. Looking forward to seeing - and hearing - the LS3 Velocity many more times. Sonny, N98297.

[@gsxr600rafii]

Do you know him enough to get him to do his own KZbin about that beautiful plane? That's my dream build. And there isn't enough info on one with this engine platform.

[@davidgolden6068]

Great job Len! Looking forward to the top speed run and performance figures!

[@pumarolz]

Yeeeesss finally, this bird deserves to see the sky after such a long wait

[@KCdurt]

As my instructor used to say, "Did your daddy used to beat you with that center line? Stop flying like you're scared of it!" Hahahaha, just kidding. I just take every chance I get to pay that phrase forward, it gave me a decent laugh the first time I heard it! Looked a tad gusty up there. Congrats to builder on a successful first flight!

[@judd_s5643]

I certainly would not have flown the second flight until I addressed the over speed issues. Torsional pulses thru the power train like that certainly would test the weakest part. Congratulations on a nice build and a safe first flight.

[@robertphillips3078]

OK , just read a few comments. The Rev Limiter was the Culprit. Another power plant worth considering 4 this aircraft is a turbo prop . They are lighter & quiter & can be configured as a pusher . Gr8 job so far

[@watashiandroid8314]

Doesn't a pilot need a specific rating to fly a specific turbine powered aircraft (non transferable and non general)? So how would one get that on a one off build?

[@Robert-mn8gc]

@@watashiandroid8314 As a kit plane u have a choice of Aircraft Engines . Main choice r the range of Rotax . 3 variations. ×1 turbo . There have been a few V8's attached 2 the rear of the Velocity Pusher . He ain't the 1st . Not a lite weight option. However a much cheaper option than Aircraft Engines . Do require a gear reduction unit . And the V8's r pretty economical & might be faster . One guy put in a small jet engine that went super well. V8's r very easy 2 maintain, whereas Aircraft Engines cost a pretty penny 4 servicing.

[@watashiandroid8314]

@@Robert-mn8gc I was actually wondering about 14cfr61.31a but it actually specifies turbo-jet whereas I thought it specified turbine, so it seems a pilot of a turbo-prop powered plane doesn't need a type rating for it (unless it falls under 1 or 3). And even then, 61.31 l2iiib seems like it could exclude it anyways.

[@jackpoole1901]

Chevy v8 20k turboprop a cool million I would say unless you are quite wealthy the Chevy is a wise option

[@StubProductions]

It needs a throttle stop just before rev limiter. Having engine banging off rev limiter is not good for engine or drivetrain!

[@txkflier]

Congratulations! It looked pretty scary to me. I'd definitely do something about that rev limiter. That can't be good for the reduction unit or the propeller..

[@skyepilotte11]

Now thats a commitment...marriage!? Great work.

[@sergio34410]

Congrats all the blessings to you and all your companions on future flight!

[@BigWalley3putt]

Len, you definitely need to spell Experimental with a capital "E". Great job with the LS3!!! Love what you're accomplished and so happy to see all that work get off the ground!

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G,day Mark from Sydney Australia. Thanks for recording the test flight, it looked alittle unstable in the roll axis and Len's use of the control stick. The engine sounds great (V8) and the panel is amazing. Sir, great story of commitment building a "pusher prop" not the standard "tool in the shed" it's unusual: that's for sure. 🌏🇦🇺

[@ThisHandleIsNotAvailableYall]

Congrats Len! As a Corvette owner and student pilot, this is the dream! I only wish you would have picked an LS7 haha!

[@Pictureperfectlogistics]

I've been waiting for this video, congratulations. Cant wait to see more on this Velocity. Nice work!

[@someguy4909]

Much awaited update. Thanks.

[@bigdaddie40]

I love the sound of that LS3!

[@gsxr600rafii]

I have been waiting for this plane to fly for so long! a velocity with a V8 is my dream plane to build. please keep the videos coming. that plane is absolutely beautiful.

[@msnpassjan2004]

Thanks for sharing your first flights with us, very cool !

[@TheBallisticzero]

Glad to see it finally complete and flying!

[@jerrymiller9603]

Len is a great guy. Very helpful, I’m just starting my build and intend to use the LS 3 engine as well. Len has been unbelievably helpful. He has done an amazing job building

[@lalehbryanskrenes5692]

Congratulations! This is such fantastic news! Cannot wait to see your cruise numbers! This is a really amazing accomplishment!

[@marknordeen2984]

Beautiful craftsmanship, congratulations on a successful first day of flying.

[@andron967]

I'll be lucky if the FAA doesn't pull my armchair ticket after watching your video. In my own defense it's 530am and I hadn't had my coffee. I was thinking this and that isn't right! But of course it isn't and that's what you're doing in your first test flight. This is a fantastic aircraft that hasn't had it's fine tuning yet and a very successful first flight. Congratulations!! One hell of an accomplishment. But I definitely crashed my couch.

[@dogonmyneck]

Congratulations the build and first flights!! Sounds good!!

[@T-51Mustang]

What a great achievement! congrats! , hope you will have many happy years flying your V8 Velocity

[@SteveWrightNZ]

Does it have some sort of pitch oscillation thing going on? It just seems to have a little 'stir' to it.

[@jeffrobodene1485]

Great job! She's beautiful. Fly safe.

[@ick79]

Cant wait for the follow up's!!! Gratz!!! very nice plane!!!

[@bigmuz_pilot]

Banging it off the limiter like that is insane, why not wind a bit more into the fine pitch stop? Crazy stress for the engine, gearbox and pilot..

[@RamblerMan68]

Beautiful airplane! A little trim here, some adjustments there and she'll be rocking! Congratulations!!

[@michaelguy7168]

Congratulations, what an accomplishment.

[@brandonhindmarsh4353]

That LS3 sounds glorious

[@mercytoday]

Incredible work! Absolutely love it

[@jessgypin-ko5ds]

Beautiful!!! Love being able to watch the build and first flight. I love the velocity and yours is brilliant! Best wishes for a lifetime accomplishment and will keep watching as you tweek, tune and further the dream. Outstanding I can only dream as I will never have the resources and budget so I will live it vicariously through yours! Best of luck. Congratulations!!

[@BudFox559]

That sounds very different. That last landing looked excellent.

[@diggy-d8w]

I saw a Canard 6-7 months ago, I'm not a pilot, but the front wing & push motor is just kool. Common sense seems to ring & I'm no pilot but I like the way they look & fly. Perhaps one day I get to take a ride in one? peace & GB

[@edblevins8764]

I’ve got about 6500 hrs flying and this video scares me!!!!

[@GEricBromley]

I hear ya. Had this uncomfortable feeling about it myself.

[@Dongkung-bt7zl]

They is freaking 😎. And that sounds rocks

[@savethehumans7460]

That sounds so amazing 👏👏 thanks for the share.

[@Tadrjbs]

Looks real squirrly in roll and pitch? Nature of the type?

[@kerrylloyd4215]

Good job on the build and the test flight. It was really blustery. Need to get that over Rev limiter taking care of first. I'd hate to be the gearbox! 👍

[@drewmurray2583]

I searched ls powered airplane for fun and I am surprised to find someone has done it!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

There's actually quite a few airplanes with LS engines. Google all the Titan T-51 Mustang. It's a P-51 replica that now uses an LS engine!

[@rmorgan4358]

Absolutely beautiful!!

[@mtsklar]

that thing sounds soooo good on startup !

[@tim75052]

That is a Gorgeous aircraft!

[@PlaneFunRC]

I love this video. Great flight!!!

[@retiredatc8720]

Congratulations on a beautiful aircraft!

[@michaelrosebud]

Awesome video, and aircraft, congratulations :-)

[@rothgartheviking858]

Amazing aircraft. I would love to see more videos of this plane.

[@adamcaswell1924]

That sounds awesome! What a beast.

[@leeklemetti1887]

Welcome N8 LOUD DETROIT That is a beautiful airplane. A thought on lowering the engine exhaust is to add a foot-longer exhaust extension out the back. That will keep the exhaust blast away from the fuselage.

[@IFlyHeliz]

Congratulations on a magnificent aircraft

[@jacobellis6150]

What's your fuel burn and speed like while in cruise?

[@Jeffrey-Flys]

So cool to see it finished… I was following when he did the LS install

[@280zjammer]

Five blades, adjustable pitch with a custom two speed prop drive might be able to make use of all that power. Does the nose drop when you chop power? It looks like it flies smooth without excessive undulating.

[@Know-Way]

Beautiful Plane! Awesome job.

[@hydojenk]

Any updates from Len? Would love to see more!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Well we've been wanting to do an update video for quite a while. Just haven't matched schedules. Hopefully soon. His 40 hours is flown off and he's been flying a lot.

[@utvwerxoffroadfabdesign4172]

Beautiful aircraft! Hope he can get the bugs worked out on that rev limiter as it’s holding that engine back!

[@johnschreiber1574]

Very nice! Congratulations!

[@kentbarnes1955]

Well done sir. Well done!

[@TheSoaringChannel]

Lmao no way! 🤣 I love it! LS3 reliability FTW! I gotta say though, the rev limiter needs some dialing in, from a car tuner perspective.

[@ick79]

It would be cool to get an update, maybe with some numbers?

[@JoesRCCorner]

Awesome aircraft and very beautifully done. 🎉Congratulations

[@Finder245]

Congratulations! I fly out of PTK. I’ve seen videos of this plane before, but I didn’t know we were “neighbors”.

[@mathewjenkinson9251]

Good job Len!

[@spikekavalench]

Beautiful airplane!

[@davidlamb7979]

Congrat's on getting your build past the first flight! The dedication & persistence is inspiring. I was dreaming about building a Velocity RG 30 years ago, and that dream faded as life took me in other directions. Now that old dream is back 🙂That LS sounds badass, although I agree with other comments that climbing out on the rev limiter isn't ideal. Hopefully you've found a solution and have it dialed in by now. I'd love to see an update. Best of luck.

[@jquimbly7334]

Great achievement! (Is it me, or is the forewing's left half a little bit longer than the right, at 0:30?)

[@garrygballard8914]

Congratulation.

[@travisashby]

Congrats!

[@ronnl001]

Great moment. Good job handling the weight imbalance as well. I was surprised the first time it ever happened to me in my rv (heavy passenger and fuel mainly on that side to counteract my personal weight). It was unnerving to me and on a first flight playing test pilot for a plane I built - I can only imagine.

[@kheaslett]

i am curious as to why this plane is not smoother in flight...? i thought those big wings would cause it to be more stable. your bobbing all over the place... was this just a windy day? or is this normal? its a beautiful plane !

[@kenutton992]

Was it the aircraft bouncing or was the wind causing the aircraft to bounce?

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Hot day, flat land, different land surfaces providing different thermal lift???

[@kenutton992]

Lenn I so enjoyed your first flight.

[@foreverfixin]

That's awesome glad to see she's flying boy that thing is going to move

[@sirnewton6874]

Awesome simply awesome! I support your engine choice 100%!

[@BayAreaCowboy]

Awesome flight. Amazing plane. I have had this plane in mind wondering what has been going on since Mark posted it the first time. I emailed Mark a few times about it to hear you were having some issues. I’m so glad you finished it and flew it. The LS V8 is an amazing engine. As a hod rod guy the LS is an amazing engine. The LS3 will make 620 HP all day long. I hope you can adjust the throttle a bit so you don’t have to bang off the rev limiter on every take off. I can’t wait to see the plane fly gear up and get the performance numbers. Thanks Mark for posting the video. Amazing! I would love to build one.

[@arnoldjohnson3317]

I was wondering about this plane, great to see it flying.

[@rpmuri]

Great job Len. PTL

[@Arrowflyer2]

Just came across your video. I just retired as a auto technician & I love the Chevy engine. My buddy & I are building an XL. I would love to meet you sometime.

[@jwagner1993]

The Velocity looks great even parked, doesn't matter what engine u have

[@steveferguson8047]

Loved it, congratulations! 🙂

[@jimydoolittle3129]

Powerful beauty ❤✈️