2004 was a busy year - lots of changes. My wife, Pam, and I moved from Albuquerque to Dallas. N724X bid a fond farewell to Santa Fe but was able to move to another hanger with a beautiful view at Mckinney (TKI), just NE of Dallas. But prior to all that, we were able to finally achieve our goal of traveling to Oshkosh and flying in the Airventure Cup Race. But first, a lot had to be done. After flying so long in primer, then getting a paint job, we finally moved on to the interior! After considering local options or doing it ourself, I decided to simply go with the factory and someone experienced with Velocity aircraft: Jeff Driscoll (321-725-7291 or try the factory!) So a journey to the factory was in order!

Dad and I make the trek to the Velocity factory in May of 2004. It took about 7.5 hours to make it from Santa Fe, NM to Sebastian, FL	Parked in front of the now hurricane demolished Velocity Service center.	Dad basks in the Florida sun.	Parked on the ramp, awaiting installation of the interior.
Yes, the nosegear is backwards, having flipped in that position as we pushed the plane out to the ramp.	Almost as cool as Dad's old roadsters!	Inside the original Service Center.	Some odds and ends: a new ID plate is riveted in place since the old one had been removed for painting.
A view into the Pilot side wheel well.	Looking up from underneath the engine, CP side. A safety wire attaches the exhaust in case it ever cracks. This should hold it in place before it falls off and goes through the prop which could lead to a suboptimal outcome. The scat tubing carries air from the air induction intake under the CP wing to engine through a filter.	Another, wider view from same vantage point. Top right is aileron bell crank. Also seen is roll servo arm with servo on firewall seen behind the scat hose.	Pilot side exhaust stack safety wiring.
Wider angle view of pilot side engine compartment. From lower left duct opening exit oil lines to and from nose oil cooler, vacuum tubing, contol cables for throttle, prop, mixture. Underneath the aileron bell crank top left you can see the oil lines heading to the oil cooler in the wing root. Not aileron push cables are insulated with orange fire sleeve. They are also rated for high temps.	Service Center is very busy.	Brendon and Mike confer regarding an ongoing project. One of my plane's seats is seen next to Brendon.	My guru and all around great guy, Nathan Rigaud. Nathan has trained many a Velocity pilot.
We had dropped off the plane and then returned several weeks later. Dad inspects the progress so fo far.	Jeff Driscoll, Velocity interior wizard, works on the rear bulkhead. It fits fairly tightly and is attached with velcro.	The read bulkhead is covered with the sam material as on the roof of the cabin.	Layn down the carpeting. I went with royal blue on the floor and a grey material on the walls and roof. The door jambs and keel were covered with vinyl. The armrest is made of the same temperfoam as in the seats. You can see one of my glideslope antennas on the floor as Jeff sprays a light adhesive down.
Panels to cover the wiring at the sides of the cabin underneath the instrument panel were fashioned. Pockets were placed there for charts, etc.		Looking toward the rear. Note the really nice attention to detail that Jeff provides on the keel with individual winyl covering of the keel inspection plates. THe rear bulkhead is in two parts witht he lower resting on the "whale tail" of the keel. A shelf is built in with netting to store small items. The baggage stakes are covvered witht he headliner material and the bottom is padded as an arm rest.	Thin pads for the carpet. Holes cut for the seat attachment points. Note the headset jack panels are also vinyl covered.
	Carpeting gets a light adhesive before being laid down.		Carpeting laid in place!
	Jeff works on the trim above the front windshield.		Nathan and Mike confer over an engine annual.
While we are here at the factory, we perform wheel retract tests assisted by Nathan.	All done! The dust of the Service Center is washed off in preparation for leaving the factory nest!		Dad takes our rental car for drop off at Vero Beach and a short hop is made from Sebastian to pick him up.
Off the coast from Vero Beach, 6/04.	Flying along the the beautiful coast. The Seastian airport is center left.	Turning final for 13 at Sebastian (X26).	Nathan Rigaud bids us farewell. Nathan has been a fantastic resource for all things Velocity and a great teacher.
After the trip back to Santa Fe, dad unloads. You can see the neat headliner material above and the slick covering of t he overhead switch trim piece.		N724X basks in the sun of New Mexico after another great trip.	Ready for Oshkosh!
The expansive views of desert and mountain will be missed!			Home for 2 years, we leave this hangar at SAF with fond memories.
The sun sets, bathing Santa Fe with a beuatiful glow.	Our time in New Mexico was growing short in July of 2004. The contents of the hangar had already been moved. My wife, Pam, help prepare for the AirVenture Cup Race. Vinyl numbers transform N724X to 'Race 24' Murray Bergen does a superb job in making the numbers and any other logos, etc. that you might need. He can be contacted directly at 856.686.1205 or libertygraphicsinc@yahoo.com.	My 'Impossible Dreams' Star logo goes on the winglets courtesy of Murray Bergen of Liberty Graphics. They look like they are painted on!

Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome! email: rich@rguerra.com
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