On Friday 22nd of February a historic event happened. The Joe Vee HPAC took to the air for a 47 minute test flight.

Present: Prof. Joe Vee, Joe Vee Research Institute and Sanctuary Staff, Boeing, Airbus Industrie, DoD, various officials.

Location: Top Secret

Purpose: Test flight of Joe Vee HPACPrototype (JVHPACP/HPAC 1)

Results: At 06.01, with Joe Vee at the controls the JVHPACP/HPAC 1 was taxied out to the end of the runway and the take off roll commenced. 22 seconds later JVHPACP/HPAC 1 was airborne. With an easy climb rate of 2000 fpm Joe ordered half of the team to stop pedalling - JVHPACP/HPAC 1 kept climbing. Five minutes after take off at an altitude of 8,500 feet, Joe took the JVHPACP/HPAC 1 into a stall. At a ridiculously slow stall speed, JVHPACP/HPAC 1 gracefully entered a stall and recovered after having lost only 215 feet of altitude. Later with all the crew pedalling at an easy pace the JVHPACP/HPAC 1 reached a sustainable cruise speed of 351 kias. Also several banks and turns were conducted. After the flight Joe Vee commented "She handles like a dream, smooth and gentle characteristics, fast and safe, I can't wait to take her for a long distance flight back to South America".

Forty seven minutes after take off the JVHPACP/HPAC 1 gracefully caressed the tarmac and taxied back to waiting Research Insitute and Sanctuary Staff and Defence officials. The data from the 7 flight recorders will be examined in detail over the next few months.

The only photo of HPAC1 released by the DoD.
Seen is HPAC1 rotating off the runway at the secret test facility.
Captain Professor Joe Vee at the controls.

Photo by courtesy of Joe Vee Research Institute and Sanctuary and Department of Defence.
May not be reproduced or copied without the express permission of Joe Vee.

Second image just released.

HPAC 1 passing overhead for a flyby.
Captain Professor Joe Vee at the controls.

Photo by courtesy of Joe Vee Research Institute and Sanctuary and Department of Defence.
May not be reproduced or copied without the express permission of Joe Vee.

Points to note

• Only about one third of the cabin is made of Semi-Clear Matt Finish (SCMF) Veeulite® . This was done to observe passenger comfort levels in both types of cabins. The rest of the cabin is covered in Gloss Finish Veeopaqulite™. It is likely that HPAC 1 will have clear Veeulite® installed after later testing.
• The third propeller stationed at the rear of the plane was not engaged. Computer Modelling (CM) predictions indicate that the extra propeller which will be used to bleed excess power, will lift the sustained cruise and max speed. The third propeller cannot be used during take off or landing.
• Anti icing boots on the prototype are larger than necessary.
• No flap system installed on prototype as landing and take off speeds fall easily within safety parameters.
• Landing gear is fixed on the prototype. Hence lower airspeeds than predicted.
• What appears to be a "standard engine cowling" is indeed the final gearing for the propellors. It is envisaged that the production models will incorporate contra rotating propellers. Also cabin air will be piped through the "cowling". Also, due to C of G requirements and safety issues, some batteries are housed in this area.