OT: What Do You Think of the Sonex?

[Jartz]

I?m going to a Sonex Fly-In at Crossville, Tennessee, this weekend. I?d be interested in hearing thoughts any of you have regarding the Sonex.

My interest in the Sonex is because it is light sport, aerobatic, and can be built in a tailwheel version. The light sport aspect is required for me; the others merely interest me.

Please keep your comments factual, and constructive. I?m not asking you to compare it directly to an RV-12 because they?re so different (e.g., aerobatic, tailwheel).

I?m just wondering if there are things, good or bad, that you?ve noted that I could or should look for or ask about.

As I?ve said elsewhere, I don?t know whether I will eventually build, restore or buy an LSA, or none of the above. Just seeking information here.

Thanks in advance,
John

P.S. No flames please; I don?t fit my USAF-issued Nomex suit, early ?70s model, anymore, so I?d really be defenseless.

P.P.S. to Doug or other moderator: If this is too far off-topic, I apologize. It's just that I trust this community to be knowledgable, candid and fair.

[RickWoodall]

Every time i see a sonex I cant help but smile. They are cute little planes, but..just my non technical review...they just dont have the cool factor that I would want in a plane your going to spend a long time building. The Zodiac 601 qb is supposedly one of the fastest qb to build and will meet the lsa. If you look at some of the 601's professionally built with glass they can look pretty good. Just seems with so many lsa out there that sonex would dress it up a little more. Ever seen the fold a boat ads. Good little boat, just looks kind of goofy.

[Mel]

I've built a Monnett design (Moni Motorglider) and have inspected quite a few Sonex and one Xenos that just recently made it's first flight in Sulphur Springs, TX. Monnett's designs are very good as are his kits. The only negatives I can think of is that the cockpit is pretty tight for 2 people and luggage space is small.

[X18]

I can't speak to the Sonex, but I am currently conducting the test flights on the Xenos that Mel inspected for us. The kit quality is pretty good but it is not as complete as a Van's kit. The Xenos is a motor glider and flies a little differently, but handles nicely. With the Jabiru 3300 it will make 138 mph IAS at WOT, cruises at 119 mph IAS at 2750 rpm. The stall is 43 mph IAS and it lands as easily as my RV4. Best glide is 52 mph IAS with a 250 fpm sink rate and a 24:1 glide ratio. The downsides are limited interior space and almost no panel room. If I was looking for the least expensive LSA qualifying kit that is a simple build and inexpensive to operate, the Sonex with the 80 hp AeroVee or Jabiru would be at the top of my list.

Jim Lewman
RV4 N934RV

[N941WR]

We have two chapter members who have just completed theirs. (That would be two Sonex's, one each.)

Both have the AeroVee engine up front. Both are tail dragger standard tail aircraft built for the same reasons you are looking at them.

Both pilots report better handling than what was reported in Kit Planes or what ever magazine panned them.

One guy built his from scratch, only purchasing the weldments. The other built his from the kit. Interestingly enough, the scratch built one only took 1 1/2 years to complete and looks great!

The instrument panels are a challenge and the trick setup seems to be the Dynon D180 w/ a GPS and those small European radio and transponders. Costly but they fit in the panel.

Attention to detail and lightness is critical on this airplane, much more so than on the RV's.

I can't wait until they get their time flown off so I can to for a ride.

BTW, both builders are small guys. My 5' 11", 215 lbs butt wouldn't fit in there very well with another guy my size. Cabin space reminded me of my old T-craft. i.e., overlapping shoulders.

PS. The scratch builder said his total cost, including engine & instruments was around $25K.

[flyeyes]

Originally Posted by Jartz

I?m going to a Sonex Fly-In at Crossville, Tennessee, this weekend. I?d be interested in hearing thoughts any of you have regarding the Sonex.

You might talk to Bill von Dane, who sometimes lurks on this site (assuming he's recovered from his motorcycle accident enough to email:[).

Although I have no personal experience with the Sonex, I recall Bill being fairly heavily involved at one point.

[Transporter]

Rode in and flew a Sonex (Jabiru 3300) last month here in Lees Summit, MO. It was the builder's second Sonex and construction was excellent.

Impressions:
Cockpit is roomy for one, very tight for two six footers...I rode with my left arm in the baggage area...OK for 30 minutes, but I don't like riding sidesaddle!

Jabiru 3300 ran smooth and has plenty of power for this plane.

Ailerons felt great-very close to RV in feel. However, elevator felt sensitive in pitch-not bad, but took a few minutes to get comfortable and not 'porpoise'.

Rode in an RV8 an hour later. Both the Sonex and the RV8 have light stick forces. However, all controls in the RV8 had that great RV balanced feel vs the sensitive elevator feel of the Sonex.

Summary-good plane for the money, but I'd rather have an RV.
Mike

[Pirkka]

Originally Posted by Jartz

I?d be interested in hearing thoughts any of you have regarding the Sonex.

Never fly any but what I've heard is that make sure you fit in. The cabin is not too big.

[teookie]

Pros:

Very Inexpensive
Light sport
Aerobatic

Cons:
Ugly
Small
Not as proven design as the RV's. (I could be wrong on this one...)

I've considered the Sonex as a first kit plane. At the end of the day the RV is just more airplane for your money.

[DaX]

Originally Posted by teookie

I've considered the Sonex as a first kit plane. At the end of the day the RV is just more airplane for your money.

Same here. I was really looking at the Sonex, but decided to go with an RV because it is more airplane and looks way better (my opinion). The downside is that it's going to cost a lot more.