Company type | Private company |
---|---|
Industry | Aerospace |
Founded | 1984 |
Founder | Danny Maher |
Headquarters | , |
Products | Kit aircraft |
Owner | Swing family |
Number of employees | 20 |
Website | www.velocityaircraft.com |
Velocity, Inc. is an American kit aircraft manufacturer.
The company was founded in 1984 by Danny Maher, marketing a four-seat homebuilt aircraft based on the Long-EZ design. The first prototype flew in 1985. The company was sold to Scott and Duane Swing in 1992. In 1995, the cockpit design was changed, adding a gull wing door design.[1]
In 2008, a power failure and crash of a Velocity undergoing initial testing at North Las Vegas Airport brought national attention to homebuilt aircraft testing. Banning of particular aircraft and flight operations at the airport afterward resulted in a power struggle over who has authority over airspace and access to public use airports.[2]
In 2008 Velocity received an order for 20 of its XL-5 aircraft to participate in the Rocket Racing League.[3]
On April 14, 2008, the Racing Rocket Racing Composite Corporation, a subsidiary of the Rocket Racing League, acquired Velocity Aircraft. The RRL announced their goal was to "produce an airframe that will be consistent for all competing Rocket Racers."[4]
On May 26, 2010, Scott and Duane Swing bought back full ownership of Velocity Inc from the Rocket Racing League.[5]