Author Archives: Sieders Family

About Sieders Family

I am a homebuilder of a Velocity XL-5 FG homebuilt aircraft. I got in May 2011, taken over from Tom Tolton who started with the kit and decided to sell it when he was almost done with the shell of the airplane. We also started a North American Harvard Mk.IV restoration. Together with a school in Nashville, we hope to get this plane airborne again. A new project we have is the building of our new home in the Duchy Estate in North Carolina. We hope it will be complete spring 2023.

2021-11-05 TestFlight 29 – The Final

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Sieders Family

The final flight. As I have nothing else to test at this time, I decided to just make it a fun flight, to celebrate all the hard work that it took to come this far. I departed runway 32 to … Continue reading →

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2021-11-05 TestFlight 28

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Sieders Family

To finish the turbo testing, I wanted to fly another box pattern, so I could check speeds, endurance and fuel flow. I also wanted to check on altitude once more, to see when exactly the Turbo started to loose pressure, … Continue reading →

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2021-11-04 TestFlight 27

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Sieders Family

After taking an hour break at Hollingshead Aviation where I get my fuel from, I decided to take another flight. I had topped off the tanks and it was time to stop at a few airports within my box. One … Continue reading →

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2021-11-04 TestFlight 26

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Sieders Family

Once I had the Turbo working, and I was happy with its performance, it was time to finish the hours on the Flight Testing. I made the decision that high altitude testing and endurance testing would be combined and a … Continue reading →

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2021-11-03 Test Flight 25

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Sieders Family

Today started with correcting the Turbo settings as I had made an error in reading the maintenance manual. Instead of 28.5’MP, during the test below 1500ft MSL, it needs to be 29.5″MP! a full inch more. So I removed the … Continue reading →

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2021-10-29. Maintenance.

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Sieders Family

Two days after my failed turbo test, I came back to the hangar and once again removed the cowling. I first thought to remove the top only, but then decided to take both off. I double checked the throttle arm … Continue reading →

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2021-10-27. TestFlight 24.

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Sieders Family

This test would be to test the turbo system, and other engine settings, mainly throttle. I also wanted to check to see if my magnometer issue returned from the last flight, where I experienced a mismatch. The startup was quite … Continue reading →

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2021-10-26. Maintenance

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Sieders Family

After arriving home after my work trip, I returned to the hangar and removed the cowling, and checked the transfer valve. It was not operated by the throttle movement at all. Maybe finally the eureka moment we all waited for. … Continue reading →

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2021-10-23. Flight Test 22 and 23.

Posted on October 23, 2021 by Sieders Family

Today I tested higher altitude Turbo operation. After a lengthy traditie, I departed runway 19 to the east. #5 CHT was highest before T/O roll at 389F. Climbing at 900 ft/min, at 118 Kias. I departed southeast and climbed to … Continue reading →

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2021-10-22. Flight Test 21.

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Sieders Family

This was the first flight after turbo manifold modifications, which I hope will give more flow to the turbo, and laminair so I see less oscillations in MP. The improvements included a new turbo manifold snorkel, to provide better flow … Continue reading →

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