VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 05-04-2013, 10:40 AM
mrblob's Avatar
mrblob mrblob is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 159
Default Sonex Traitor?

I'm thinking of building a Sonex Onex next instead of an RV-3. The article in Kitplanes didn't help. Am I a Van's traitor? Do I need an intervention?
__________________
Paul
CFI (with a LODA. PM me for transition training)
RV-7- flying since 2009 with a Subie, flying since Aug 2013 with a ECi Titan IO-370
1974 Bonanza V35B because n+1
2020 VAF dues paid! (recurring monthly payment setup)
  #2  
Old 05-04-2013, 10:54 AM
9GT's Avatar
9GT 9GT is online now
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Southern Michigan
Posts: 1,966
Default

The Onex is on my next airplane to build list. I want something in addition to the -10 where I can go out in it by myself and bore holes in the sky. This one looks pretty promising to fill that need.
__________________
David C.
Howell, MI
RV-10: #41686 Under Construction
RV-9A: #90949 Under Construction
RV-10: #40637 Completed/Sold 2016
Cozy MKIV:#656 Completed/Sold 2007
"Donor Exempt" but donated through Dec. 2020
  #3  
Old 05-04-2013, 10:56 AM
Rhino889's Avatar
Rhino889 Rhino889 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Jupiter FL.
Posts: 451
Default

I'm playing with the idea of this

http://flypanther.net/
__________________
VAF DUES 7/13, 12/13, 03/14
Founder/Director
www.Aircraftwraps.com
Replace paint with performance.

This is my personal account and does not reflect the official communications of Aircraftwraps.com. We have retained a username for such correspondence. I post about formation, eating, aerobatics and pilot stuff .
  #4  
Old 05-04-2013, 11:27 AM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
Senior Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 9GT View Post
The Onex is on my next airplane to build list. I want something in addition to the -10 where I can go out in it by myself and bore holes in the sky. This one looks pretty promising to fill that need.
I have the same yearnings, but my wife is not too happy about it
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909

Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.

"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
  #5  
Old 05-04-2013, 11:47 AM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
Default

As an RV-3B builder who has a friend that built a Sonex Xenos, I'll take a shot at this.

The Onex will have pre-punched homes and a computer-developed design, with parts that cleco together. With the RV-3B, you'll have to locate and drill almost all the holes yourself. Both airplanes have pre-built spars, and the RV-3B can have quick-build wings.

The RV-3has a bubble canopy and the Onex doesn't.

The Xenos upper wing surface definitely ripples during normal 1 g flight. I regard it as both unslightly and unaerodynamic. While I can't say if that carries to the Onex, it's a sign of poor design.

The RV-3B plans are old school prints. It's mostly all there with some looking. The build manual is decent but it's more of a big picture thing than a detail guide. The Xenos plans are considerably more clear and more of a step-by-step thing. My friend took as long to build his Xenos as I'd expect to with the RV-3B (except that I'm very slow so it'll take longer for me). But the ease of building doesn't seem to carry through to a faster building experience. Although the Onex will have fewer parts.

The RV-3B will use two to three times the fuel that the Onex will use. And the Onex can fold its wings while the RV-3B can't.

The Aero-Vee "carb," is a quirky thing, and the fuel tank of the Onex has a filler spout at the base of the canopy. Ugh. My friend is still sorting through the fuel system issues, in the plane's second summer flying. I am not impressed.

There's a substantial price difference between the two planes.

Bottom line - it you enjoy building and can afford it, build the RV-3B. If you don't or want it to be relatively easy, and if the price is a major factor and you don't mind risking the fuel system, get the Onex.

Dave
RV-3B, now on the wings
  #6  
Old 05-04-2013, 12:20 PM
plehrke's Avatar
plehrke plehrke is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Defiance, MO
Posts: 1,674
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Paule View Post
The Aero-Vee "carb," is a quirky thing, and the fuel tank of the Onex has a filler spout at the base of the canopy. Ugh. My friend is still sorting through the fuel system issues, in the plane's second summer flying. I am not impressed
Guy at our airport has same experience with his Onex. He just circles the airport as he keeps working on the fuel system, not wanting to stray to far. He has been doing this every weekend for a year now.
__________________
Philip
RV-6A - 14+ years, 950+ hours
Based at 1H0 (Creve Coeur)
Paid dues yearly since 2007
  #7  
Old 05-04-2013, 12:21 PM
DanH's Avatar
DanH DanH is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 08A
Posts: 9,500
Default

I'm helping a friend with an Onex right now. Let's just say the Sonex crew is not in the same league as Vans when it comes to working out all the errors before shipping the kits.
__________________
Dan Horton
RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
  #8  
Old 05-04-2013, 12:34 PM
AEA AEA is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: so cal
Posts: 33
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhino889 View Post
I'm playing with the idea of this

http://flypanther.net/

I agree. This is looking very promising now. I would be more inclined toward an RV3 but LSA is a very real concern in my future.
__________________
Aaron
  #9  
Old 05-04-2013, 12:36 PM
Mile High Relic Mile High Relic is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Denver area
Posts: 272
Default

I like a lot of things about the Onex, and if I put my mind to it I might actually be able to build one, whereas I think an RV-3 would be beyond my ability. When it comes to considering the looks though, the RV wins the beauty contest by a long mile, IMO. I'll never build a Onex because to me, somehow, it just doesn't look right. Shallow I know, but I love the looks of almost all of the RV line.
  #10  
Old 05-04-2013, 12:39 PM
rockwoodrv9 rockwoodrv9 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
Default

My second plane will be a kitfox. I think they are perfect for their mission. Reasonably priced and to build. But, I don't care about aerobatics, so each his own.
__________________
rockwoodrv9a
Williamston MI
O-320 D2A
Awaiting DAR Inspection
Closed Thread


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:53 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.