Jabiru Engines are sold and supported by Arion Aircraft. Next up was finishing it, which included several very challenging components: the canopy and the cowling. Larry Zepp, Fort Wayne, IN, N22LZ. For 10 years,the Sonex factory approved only three engines for the airframe: the 2,180cc VW, and the 80 hp and 120 hp Jabbirus. on Engine Development as part of the Sonex Workshop. If a new, viable powerplant emerges which fits our needs and philosophy it will be offered only after it has been thoroughly tested on factory aircraft. Happy flying! A 2180 cc aero-engine that can be run on 100LL or auto fuel, all of the supplied components are brand-new, zero-time parts. What a great account of the aircraft building process. I made molds of the utility wingtips and made my own S … Long before it became AirVenture, it was an aviation event of epic proportions that etched itself in my soul and led to the lifelong dream of building an airplane and flying it to Oshkosh for the show. The prototype we flew was powered by the AeroVee Turbo—the turbo being an option for the original … The SONEX has a very clean and aerodynamic design that gives it excellent performance. Sonex highly recommends the AeroConversions AeroInjector to replace the Jabiru-supplied Bing carb. The AeroVee engine kit also includes the AeroConversions AeroInjector. I also knew that in spite of my lack of experience in conventional gear aircraft, I wanted to build a taildragger. But what to build? Sonex is amongst the best and most sought after cookware brands in Pakistan. Much like the EAA Sport Air workshop, the factory builders workshop was another boost in the “I can do this” mentality I would go back to time and time again in the next four years. My initial conversations were with Joe Norris of EAA, who was a valuable resource of information and insight. Even if it is never completed, which is only a remote possibility since I’m in good health, the fun of construction is a real joy. I was reading your bio and see you live in Naperville as well. The traditional powerplant of choice for the Sonex line has always been the AeroVee engine produced by AeroConversions, a sister company to Sonex. Sonex staff have been involved in the aircraft and engine business for over 40 years and we are constantly watching the engine market for emerging products. The Jabiru 2200 engine mount offered for Legacy Sonex Aircraft will fit UL260-series engines. Terrific article. The remarkable Sonex WaiexB Engine digital imagery below, is part of Sonex Waiex B Specifications, Rate, Engine, And Cabin article which is listed within Light Sport Aircraft, Sonex Waiex-B, Sonex Waiex-B Cabin, Sonex Waiex-B Engine, Sonex Waiex-B Rate, Sonex Waiex-B Specs and published at May 5, 2020. This list of popular articles is a great place to get started. Read More about the AeroVee, AeroVee Turbo 100hp: $11,095 Engine packages include Exhaust, Baffle Kit, Alternator and Primary Fuel Pump. Sonex makes several interesting airframes and we’ll have a look at them. Jason is builder of Sonex #1655, a taildragger Sonex powered by a Corvair conversion that he assembled using William Wynn parts and manuals. If you spin much faster, you need a gear reduction, which adds weight and complexity. Might even start a Fokker D-VIII from Airdrome Aeroplanes some day. The AeroVee is a complete VW Conversion Engine Kit Package offered in 80 hp and turbocharged 100 hp versions, by AeroConversions, a product line of Sonex Aircraft, LLC. Congratulations, Robbie and Brenda! Rotax 912-series engines have become popular with some Sonex builders, particularly in international markets such as Europe and South America, and several customers have successfully made their own Rotax installations. Several years of searching at Oshkosh, in magazines and online, analyzing kits and completion rates, real world costs versus marketing hype, I kept going back to John Monnett’s Sonex kit. Search 1000's of Aircraft listings updated daily … Customers should not underestimate the vast amounts of time, money, and effort that go into alternative engine development and installation. I’d love to see you and your plane at an NE IL airport someday soon. It was a pivotal moment in the project. Your choice of an alternative engine may also result in insurability problems. SONEX SPECIFICATIONS. If you are thinking about building an airplane, I would say go for it! John Gillis SEL Private, Comm Glider, Tow pilot (Pawnee Driver) Waiex N116YX, Jabiru 3300, Tail dragger, Give it a try! They sell kits, and the engine is also a kit, not that it takes too much time to assemble. Cruising at a 130 mph at sea level is quite good! I guess I will have to stick to our flying club’s C150 to cratch my aviation itch. Thank-you got your compelling, entertaining, and extremely well-written story. Sonex does not provide specific installation techical support for Rotax engines as there are many existing Rotax installation support sources already available. On October 10, 2015, phase one of this dream came to fruition after 4 1/2 years of hard work and financial commitment to build a Sonex experimental aircraft. Read more about the AeroInjector's advantages in "The $35 Hamburger!". Order Now! The Sonex, Waiex and Xenos are a family of lightweight, metal, low-wing, two seat homebuilt aircraft.Kits are produced and marketed by Sonex Aircraft, a small manufacturer based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.By 2014, 500 customer built aircraft had been completed. The Sonex is already slinging a very short prop with the Aerovee because the engine redline is 3300rpm. Sonex Aircraft, LLC is committed to providing the recreational aviation community innovative, cost-effective and efficient aircraft kits, powerplants, and accessories and supporting them with industry-leading customer service. But we got through it and, in spite of making a serious mess and a small mistake that resulted in replacing the windshield, it was done. Great article, at 73 years old I have just earned my Sport license and am currently building a Zenith CG 750 Cruzer. Being retired I have a lot of time to work on it and expect to complete it in under a year. With some help I was able to get one wing completed and riveted together. The affordable homegrown company has been manufacturing great quality cookware since 1960. Listen online, no signup necessary. the lessons you identify here are so true and remind us all about practice and practice again.…. Put down the Budweiser – a Vietnam flying story, High mountain flying course: it takes more than a pilot license and a plane, Building a Sonex: what it’s really like - Uçuşa5Kala Havacılık Blog Yayını, Utqiagvik to Anchorage—Three Amazing Days in the Air, Two exciting landings in 21 years of flying, Brighter days ahead? For a long time afterwards I kept checking out powered homebuilts of all sorts, from pushers made of “PAPER” to ultralight biplanes and replicas from the Focker dr1 Triplane to British WWII fighters like the Hawker Hurricane. FWF installation instructions and support are available from Sonex for AeroVee and Jabiru engines, UL Power installation support is available from UL Power North America, and there are vast resources available worldwide for Rotax support. Best Sonex 604 Podcasts For 2021. Wings and tail are complete and in the hangar. The engine kit is complete, well-executed, and thoroughly documented. I am doing what I can to save weight, i.e. When installed according to Sonex-provided documentation, the user of an approved engine can anticipate a trouble-free installation proven by thousands of flight hours, as well as full customer support and on-going serviceability. Engine Notes: Jabiru 3300 6 Cylinder 120 HP AirplanesUSA Aircraft Sales presents this one owner Sonex 3300 to market. Several engine options were available. Yet first we’ll have CEO Jeremy Monnett show us around their AeroVee engine. It appears only the case and possibly the crank was actually a VW stock part. 5) AeroInjector: I use it, and I like it. It didn’t hurt that a Monnett-designed Sonerai II was in the family garage as I grew up. PDF Order Form  Join thousands of other pilots - sign up for our informative email newsletter. *Note: All published prices subject to change with the USD to Euro exchange rate. If the company went out of business during the project, it was possible to complete it from raw materials. All ULPower engines fly on avgas and auto fuel — even with mixtures up to 15% ethanol — and can be upgraded with back-up and safety systems. TS Block 4 is intended to offer the added benefit of fully-retractable gear, and leverage CNC laser-cutting and machining technology for unparalleled speed and economy in serial production. My engine is a CAMit 3300 that was dyno'ed at 127 hp. Ironically, Joe would figure prominently later as I prepared for my first flight. It was time to get it on the landing gear and remove the work tables. The SubSonex Personal Jet is rated for +6G and -3G load factors and tours the country performing in professional aerobatic airshows with both daytime and night pyrotechnic acts. Working with fiberglass made me realize that anyone who builds an entire airplane from it deserves accolades far beyond what they receive. I began to work on it actively again and while it took me some time to get back into the project actively, I did. Our goals are to: Promote education of all things Sonex by amassing tips, links, and hints from other builders, sorted by plans page when possible. We met and were married at an airport and are partners in everything we do). Then it will be ready for gear and hanging the Viking Honda engine. Rob, you’re a great writer and photographer, and I’m sure this article will help lots of wanna be builders. I made small pieces, which assembled into larger pieces, which became an airplane tail. Jason is a relatively new sport pilot, starting his training in 2012 and finished less than 6 months later. My airplane had an engine! The option to build from plans was important to me. Order Now! The following message was posted on the Sonex and Aerovee discussion groups on 12/2/2010: Hello again Sonex eGroups- ... AeroCarb or AeroInjector provides the pilot the ability to lean for best power at minimal fuel burn. But, I could see myself occasionally helping another diy person put one together. The option to build from plans was important to me. It, and the Y-tailed Waiex have sold hundreds of aircraft kits. To continue the Sonex Aircraft heritage of Product Innovation, Affordability, Simplicity, Versatility, Performance, Engineering, and Quality and to expand these themes into a broader aviation marketplace. In 2011, I finally reached a point where it became financially viable and I had time in my life to do this. Order Now! With that major step complete, we purchased an AeroVee engine kit from Sonex. One of those was from Joe Norris, now the flight instructor at Sonex Aircraft, and in charge of their T-Flight transition training program. I am now completing the final riveting on the fuselage. This is a great way to build your own unique aircraft and be licensed to repair it- since you are the manufacturer. I’m 75 and just completed a Onex Tail Kit. The AeroVee is a complete VW Conversion Engine Kit Package offered in 80 hp and turbocharged 100 hp versions, by AeroConversions, a product line of Sonex Aircraft, LLC. UL Power LLC (US Dealer) has 3rd party support available for UL Power engine mounts to fit Legacy Sonex, Waiex and Xenos airframes and for Onex airframes. I knew I wanted a simple kit that I could fly for under $40,000. However, he obviously needs the financial resources to do that. I think I enjoy building more than flying. They breath easier, and can be cleaned and reused. Robbie Culver is an instrument rated private pilot, flying under sport pilot privileges. For me, this was one of the low moments of the project. The result was that on October 10, 2015, my first flight was uneventful and a delight. Pulled rivets require only one person for final assembly, so even though my wife was an invaluable building partner, I was able to work alone for much of the project. Promote building and flying safety using existing resources of Sonex Aircraft, LLC, EAA and other established and credible entities. thank you for taking the time to share your story. Sonex Aircraft engine installations must not exceed 200 lbs total weight forward of the firewall. There are several engine options to power the airplane, but the AeroVee kit was the most affordable. An active participant in aviation since 1984, he and his wife Brenda live in Naperville, IL, with their son and two rescued dogs. We specifically have components for the Panther and Sonex, however most of our components are designed for any Corvair Flight Engine and airframe combination. Read More about the UL260i, UL260iS 107hp: $22,800* | All Rights Reserved. Shortly after purchase while going through condition inspection, it was noted that a couple of cylinders were low on compression. Sonex Aircraft has worked with Jabiru Engines for many years. Every week, we'll share the latest information to make you a better pilot. Much like he did with the RV12. By the time the fuselage was complete, our garage was simply out of room. 70 isn’t too old. We have been running these successfully in our factory aircraft with AeroCarbs with all temps well within the green. The parts were disassembled, all holes were deburred, rough edges were smoothed, and the parts were reassembled and riveted together. Sonex, Van’s, Lancair and all of the Cub clones, so many options. If the company went out of business during the project, it was possible to complete it from raw materials. Join tens of thousands of other pilots - sign up for our FREE email newsletter. As we completed it, I stood back in amazement and for the first time realized that, while it was a long path to completion, I would eventually complete and fly the airplane. ... Viking Engine. I'm not an expert, but like you I'm looking for the right engine for my project (which I think will be a CX5, but possibly a Sonex). When life permitted me to actually consider such a project, I began to research the choices. 4) K&N Air Filter: Ditch the stock paper filter for a much better K&N. Sonex Aircraft provides UL Power 260 and 350-series engine mount options for the new Sonex-B, Waiex-B, and Xenos-B models, and B-Model cowlings have been designed to accommodate UL Power 4-cylinder engines using UL Power's 110mm length prop hub with SAE-1 flange.