Velocity Bits and Pictures

Because it's my leading choice I've learned a fair bit about the Express and even have some pictures of my own.  The rest of my kit choices can be found on my My Kit Favorites page.

Velocity XL - www.velocityaircraft.com - A composite canard pusher.  Preference probably the fixed gear here due to weight and fuel capacity issues.  The FG kit is only $37k - the RG kit is only $6k more.  These are a 260-300hp aircraft with a 180-200kt cruise.  These are a longer building aircraft but have an excellent reputation as buildable (there are over 300 registered and flying in the US putting it in the top 5 kits) and nice and easy to fly.  A nice sexy looking bird that is supposed to be a joy to ride in (quiet due to pusher configuration - big cabin - great views due to swept wing/canard design).  Only flying downside is landings are fast due to no flaps and Xwind TOs take a lot of runway due to limited rudder authority and a non-steerable nosewheel (note this a common limitation in many aircraft).  Canards essentially have no short-field takeoff techniques due to the way the elevator on the canard works (you can't rotate early in a canard).  Payload at full fuel is about 800# depending on engine.  This plane is flyable for $80-$90k as a VFR only aircraft to $110-$130 as a creampuff IFR.