Does Sonex Aircraft, LLC offer Demo Flights?

Factory Demo Rides are not offered for liability and prototype licensing reasons. There have been a number of excellent flight reports written by professional journalist test pilots for several aviation publications, which we feel offer much better insight to the aircraft's overall handling and performance than a brief demo flight. There have also been numerous reports from builders that are flying posted to our Testimonials Page and Online Discussion Groups. You can also use our Builders' Database to find a Sonex, Waiex or Xenos pilot in your area. Many Sonex aircraft owners are more than willing to give rides to those who are seriously interested in building.

Will Sonex Aircraft be at the Copperstate fly-in? Arlington fly-in? Sun 'n Fun?

We are constantly evaluating which regional fly-ins and other events we should attend. Since we are headquartered in Oshkosh, you can be rest assured that we will always have a presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh every summer. If we traveled to every event that occurred thorugh the year, we would never be at the factory getting parts out the door. We have focused much of our energy and resources into our weekend workshop series, which we highly recommend attending if you are getting serious about any of our product offerings. There are incentives built in to help cover your travel expenses to get here. Please visit our Events Calendar for the list of Fly-Ins and Events Sonex Aircraft, LLC will be attending each year.

Will I fit in the Sonex?

Check the Sonex, Waiex and Xenos cockpit dimensions for yourself. We also highly recommend trying a Sonex on before deciding if you fit. We have builders that are up to 6'6" tall. Also, a Lowered Seat Modification is now available, which adds approx. 2" of headroom. Check-out our Builders' Database to find a Sonex aircraft in your area, or visit our factory for a tour, or to attend one of our upcoming events.

Cockpit Dimensions of Sonex, Waiex and Xenos:

• Width at Shoulders: 40 inches
• Width at Hips: 38 inches
• Height from Seat Bottom to Canopy: 37 inches at each seat position (Add 2" if Lowered Seat Mod is installed; standard in Waiex and Xenos)
• Height from Floor to Seat: 9 inches
• Height from Seat to Instrument Panel: 13 inches
• Height of Seat Back: 17 inches
• Length of Seat Bottom: 23 inches
• Length from Rudder Pedals to Front of Seat: 18.5 inches

How difficult is removing and re-installing Sonex Aircraft wings?

Wing Removal takes approx. 10 minutes and Installation takes 2 people approx. 15 minutes. The complete procedure is located on an instruction sheet that can be downloaded from the Instruction Sheets Page.

How do the tail dragger versions of the Sonex, Waiex and Xenos compare to other tail wheel aircraft?

Tail Wheel Sonex aircraft are just about the easiest tail wheel aircraft to fly. There are 3 things that make the Sonex and Waiex tail draggers such simple aircraft to fly:

1. The ability to fly slow: The Sonex Family of aircraft were designed from the ground up to fly slow! Approach on final with plenty of altitude to make the runway. Use full flaps (30 degrees) on your approaches which gives you a spectacular descent rate and pull the throttle to idle. Slow your aircraft down to 55 to 60 mph on final approach. This reduces the amount of energy when you do touch down, so whether you're 3 pointing or wheel landing, your Sonex or Waiex will be done flying and you'll settle in like you're hitting a pillow of air.
   
2. Direct Steering: DON'T EVEN THINK of adding complicated, costly, and heavy differential brakes! Every Sonex aircraft pilot has raved about how great the direct steering feature is. Push the right rudder pedal- go right immediately. Push the left- go left immediately. A properly flown mission in the Sonex, Waiex or Xenos will seldom, if ever, involve brakes. Hold brakes for initial start-up, Use them to hold short of the active runway, and the last time you should need them is when you're pulling up to the hangar to stop for the day. Brake wear should be non-existent and in our opinion the tail dragger versions of the Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos are the easiest to fly in their class.
   
3. Titanium Landing Gear: These are a wonderful design feature of the aircraft and meet the drop test standards from FAR Part 23. If you happen to flare too early and drop in hard, the gear dampens the shock considerably, will absorb the blow and allow you to settle in nicely.

As in any aircraft, if you really blow an approach and something doesn't feel right, go around!

Note: when carrying passengers you will increase your sink rate considerably (A 200 lb passenger is a sizeable percentage of your 1100 lb gross weight..roughly 18%). Come in a bit hotter (perhaps 5mph or so) and when you have the runway made, start bleeding off your airspeed. You'll also find that adding a touch of power just before touch down will yield some
real nice "squeaker" landings.

Follow these tips and your landings will in short order become a non-event in your tail dragger Sonex and Waiex. The tips above are the same for the Xenos: just remove "flaps" from the above and insert "pull half spoilers and establish your sink rate..don't touch them once you're under 100 feet of altitude."

What is the speed/weight difference of Tri-Gear vs. Standard Gear Sonex aircraft?

The Sonex/Waiex Tri-Gear is between 4-6 mph slower than a similarly-equipped tail dragger. While many have flown the tri-gear extensively on grass strips, we do not recommended the tri-gear for exceptionally rough-field use. Sonex aircraft are approximately 10-12 lbs heavier in the Tri-Gear configuration (+10 lbs for an AeroVee powered, Tri-Gear aircraft, +12 lbs for a Jabiru 3300 powered, Tri-Gear aircraft).

What's the difference between the Waiex and Sonex?

The tail configuration is the only difference between the Waiex and the Sonex. We built the Waiex using the "Y-tail" design simply because it looks cool! The unique "Y-tail" design flies exactly the same as the traditional-tailed Sonex. Don't believe it? Read what our first customer Waiex pilot has to say, or read professional journalist test pilot Dan Johnson's review of the Waiex for Kitplanes magazine. We recommend building whichever design you think looks better.

How is the Xenos similar to the Sonex and Waiex?

Xenos shares the same cockpit and engine options as the Sonex. The fuselage is longer and it has a much larger tail to fly the longer wing.

Can I use a Sonex/Waiex wing on a Xenos Fuselage? How about a Xenos Wing on a Sonex/Waiex Fuselage?

The answer to both questions is No. The Sonex/Waiex tails do not have enough tail volume for the larger Xenos wing and the Xenos tail is far too large for the Sonex and Waiex. Performance would be compromised in either scenario. It has been our design experience that when you try to do too many missions with a single design, you end up not doing either mission well. In this case, you'll end up with a marginal motorglider and a marginal sportplane. Build the aircraft that you feel best fits your mission. Building one of each is a fantastic idea!

Do you offer a Ballistic Parachute System?

We do not recommend a Ballistic Parachute System for use in any of our family of aircraft. You may contact BRS for a design guide and their recommended installation.

Do you have a "wet wing" option?

No. We feel 16 gallons is sufficient fuel for the design philosophy (burn rate approx. 4 gallons/hour for Jabiru 2200 and 6 gallons/hour for 3300 Jabiru). Find out more.

Do you have an electric starter system?

Yes. Both the AeroVee and Jabiru options have electric start and full electrical systems.

Rotax engines: why are these not supported for Sonex aircraft?

This engine certainly could work for the Sonex, but the use of reduction drives and radiators runs counter to our "keep it simple" philosophy. It also just doesn't make economic sense. You can install a clean and simple 120 hp 3300 Jabiru Engine for less than what it costs for either a Rotax 912S or 914.

Is it possible to use an A-65 (180 lbs empty), 85 Continental, or Corvair?

The A-65, A-85, and Corvair are just too heavy for the Sonex. Again, the criteria for engine usage is 200 lbs or less (complete installed weight) between 80-120 hp.

I'm a Sonex, Waiex or Xenos builder. Who should I purchase my Jabiru 2200 or 3300 Engine from?

Purchase your Jabiru from Sonex Aircraft, LLC. You pay the same price as everyone else in the US and receive installation and service support from Sonex Aircraft. You also receive the complete Sonex/Jabiru Installation Guide, the Sonex-specific exhaust system, and a set of the laser-cut aluminum cooling baffles developed specifically for your Sonex. The installation guide and baffle sets are available to Sonex builders worldwide. View the Engine Ordering page for more details.

What is the AeroVee Overhaul Period?

The AeroVee Overhaul Period is 600-1400 hours. The more careful you are in putting it together, maintaining it properly, and running it in the green temperature ranges, the longer your overhaul period will be.

The really good news is that if you are on the lower end of the overhaul period range, the engine core parts are readily available at an extremely reasonable cost. A complete overhaul of an AeroVee Engine core will run in the $100-$500 range depending upon what needs to be replaced.

Should I use an AeroCarb on my 2200 or 3300 Jabiru engine?

Absolutely. The overwhelming majority of the thousands of Sonex Fleet hours with the Jabiru 3300 Engines have been flown with either the AeroCarb or Ellison. The Sonex pilots using these combinations have seen remarkable performance. 150+ mph in cruise and 170+ mph top speed with the standard Sonex propellers. These alternative carbs allow Jabiru Engines to turn up higher and produce more power.

The AeroCarb exists (and has become a great option for many a homebuilder on a wide range of engines) because of the Bing Carburetor. We encountered many troubles and needless complications when installing Bing Carbs in our own factory Sonex Aircraft. While it has been claimed by Jabiru that "all of these issues have been fixed" we continue to see these surface as new builders complete and fly their Jabiru Powered Aircraft. Note that the most recent issues reported did have Bing Carbs with the "Economy Tuning Kits" installed.

With over 30 years of experience using throttle-body type carbs, we knew there was a better way and that we were just the design team that could introduce a better Carb for the Jabiru Engine. The result of our extensive R&D and flight testing is the AeroCarb.

The AeroCarb represents the better carburetor option for your Jabiru Engine in every measurable way, including but not limited to:

1. Increased flight performance
2. Better Fuel Economy
3. Lower Cylinder Head Temps
4. Lower Exhaust Gas Temps
5. Lower Oil Temps
6. Simpler Installation due to the elimination of the fuel pump
7. Simpler Installation due to built-in control cable mounts
8. Allows for Aerobatics
9. Simpler Starting (no primer or choke required)
10. Impervious to carb ice
11. Lower Maintenance and Less Prone to Clogging
12. Weight Savings

Some flight performance and test numbers to back up each of our claims:

While almost all of the Sonex Pilots with the 3300 Jabiru Engine are flying with an AeroCarb (including Sonex Prototype Serial Number 0001, Xenos Prototype Serial Number 0001, and Kerry Fores Serial Number 0009), there are some Sonex Pilots who insist on using the Bing carb. The reported performance and temperature data reported by these pilots has served as the control group as we compare them to those flying with the AeroCarb. This data was compiled using the same prop on the same airplane with the only difference being the Carburetors.

1. Increased flight performance:

All Jabiru Engines powered by alternative carbs perform better than the standard Bing. (Note that the Ellison Carb costs twice as much as the AeroCarb and still requires the use of a fuel pump.)

In an impromptu comparison flight, Kerry Fores in his AeroCarb equipped, 3300-powered tailwheel Sonex was able to catch up with a Bing-equipped 3300-powered tailwheel Sonex in a shallow climb and, once level, was able to easily pull away. Both aircraft have the same propeller. While this is "unscientific" data, it is the only head-to-head comparison we know of to date. While we're confident the pilot of the other aircraft would not mind being identified, we will not identify him without his permission. This flight was witnessed from the cockpit by another builder, who is now flying his own AeroCarb equipped Jabiru 3300-powered Sonex.

2. Better Fuel Economy:

The AeroCarb provides better fuel economy because of two primary features. An infinitely adjustable main needle jet along with cockpit adjustable mixture control.

During initial tuning the fuel metering needle is set for optimum performance with the cockpit mixture control in the full-rich position, as detailed in the owner's manual. Once in the air, the pilot can pull the mixture control until the engine just begins to run rough, then richen until it smooths out. This means the engine is always running at or near peak fuel efficiency. The AeroCarb saves between 3 and 4 gph vs. the standard Bing Carb in climb-out conditions and a little over 1 gph in an economy cruise over the Bing Carb. At $4 per gallon, the AeroCarb will pay for itself in much less than 100 hours of flying....then it's just more money in your pocket.

On Kerry's recent cross-country from Oshkosh to Sun and Fun and back (with his 3300 Jabiru powered Sonex) he had the opportunity to collect extended data on fuel consumption, particularly during the 1190 SM flight home which he was able to fly almost entirely at or near 8500 feet and 2950 rpm. With a fuel flow gauge fitted, which has proven extremely accurate over the past year of flying, cruise fuel burn rates ranged from 5.2 to 5.7 gph. Over the course of the entire flight fuel burn averaged 5.55 gph for time spent flying (fuel used/flight timer time), and 5.16 gph average for all time spent with the engine running (fuel used/hobbs meter time). Specifically, 88.76 gallons of gas were consumed, 17.2 hours were recorded on the Hobbs, and approximately 2400 miles were flown. The round trip flight included 8 stops (5 for fuel, 1 to wait for Lakeland airport to re-open after the airshow, and, of course, 1 each at arrival in Lakeland and back home in Oshkosh.

3. Lower Cylinder Head Temps:

Sonex Aircraft, LLC created its own laser-cut and pre-bent cooling baffle system for use with either the 2200 or 3300 Jabiru. We have been running these successfully in our factory aircraft with AeroCarbs with all temps well within the green. These baffles are available to any Jabiru Engine Owner, purchased through Sonex. We had two very recent reports of "high cylinder head temps with your laser-cut metal cooling baffles". Both of these reports were from pilots who insisted on using the Bing Carb, who were running up to 350 degrees on the center and aft cylinders.

Kerry has been flying the aluminum cooling baffles on his aircraft for all of the airplane's 190 hours. He developed the aluminum baffles after struggling with the Jabiru-provided fiberglass baffles. The hottest cylinder is cylinder #6 which in cruise at 2950 rpm and with an OAT of 55 degrees would top off at 320 degrees, but would quickly drop below 295 at 2800 rpm or less. The next hottest cylinder was #5, which never went over 287 and averaged 278. It must be pointed out here that in local flights around the patch when the engine is not being operated almost continuously for over 8 hours, #6 cylinder seldom tops 300 degrees. Cooling for #6 cylinder, with the metal baffles, can be dramatically improved by replacing a large cowl seal over #6 cylinder with a piece of aluminum which will add two or three minutes to the time it takes to remove/install the baffle.

4. Lower Exhaust Gas Temps:

EGT is the primary indicator of optimum fuel consumption and power output. The AeroCarb puts that control in the pilot's hand. By being able to pull the mixture lean in flight, power output is optimized and fuel consumption minimized. Without this control a pilot is at the mercy of a properly tuned Bing carb, a properly profiled needle, and the ill effects that come when the carburetor is no longer operating as efficiently as "new". The actual temperature to which you can lean changes from day to day, but with the AeroCarb the range is about 1285 degrees to 1425 degrees before engine performance diminishes from lack of fuel.

The Bottom line is that the pilot is in control of this most critical component of engine operation whether operating at full throttle in a zoom climb or cruising at altitude.

5. Lower Oil Temps:

Due to lower cylinder head and overall lower engine temperatures by running with the AeroCarb, oil temps have been observed 20 to 30 degrees lower than those running with the Bing. We also observed the elimination of the big heat-generating muffler and instead created our own straight-pipe exhaust system on the Sonex, which was also one of the reasons for these lower oil temps.

Oil temps with the Sonex/Jabiru 3300 oil cooler installation ranged from a low of 168 degrees on Kerry's flight to Florida, to a high of 185 degrees. Oil pressure in cruising flight ranged from 49 psi to 54 psi. On a hot day of playing around the oil temperature will climb to 220 degrees, but will fall off quickly when flight attitude is stabilized or the throttle is brought back from the firewall. When the temperature falls below 40 degrees, the air inlet for the oil cooler can be closed off entirely. Oil temps should be allowed to climb high enough to burn out the moisture in the engine, but not so high as to impede proper cooling and lubrication.

6. Simpler Installation due to the elimination of the fuel pump. Also eliminates vapor lock:

Anytime we can eliminate another mechanical system on an aircraft that can fail, we jump at the chance. The variable fuel pressures delivered by the fuel pump can also result in vapor lock, which is eliminated when the AeroCarb is used.

7. Simpler Installation due to built-in control cable mounts:

Those of you who have accomplished a Bing Carb installation know exactly what we're talking about. Most Bing Carb installers fashion their own custom brackets and modify the Bing Carb throttle control to make the installation somewhat workable. The AeroCarb has a built-in Throttle Cable Clamp along with Mixture Mount, greatly simplifying your cable routing. The new "pull-type" installation now available on the AeroCarb offers an even cleaner and simpler installation along with more flexibility in control cable routing.

8. Allows for Aerobatics:

Because the AeroCarb lacks a float bowl and delivers fuel largely based on the suction of the engine, it is the perfect carb for those intending to do positive G Aerobatics. (A reverse fuel and oil system would have to be added to do longer duration inverted flight).

9. Simpler Starting (no primer or choke required):

A properly tuned AeroCarb will have your Jabiru starting on the first or second blade every time. We have never installed a primer and have never required a choke.

10. Impervious to carb ice:

Due to its design with no venturi and no butterfly, no factory AeroCarb installations have ever used carb heat. There has also never been a documented case of carb ice in any AeroCarb installation or any of the carbs in the same family including the Lake Injector and POSA carbs which are well into the tens of thousands of flight hours.

11. Lower Maintenance and Less Prone to Clogging:

Due to its minimal part count and simple design, the AeroCarb represents a quantum leap in reduced maintenance compared to the Bing Carb. Also due to the AeroCarb's clean, straight-through fuel orifice and as long as standard aircraft fuel filtration is used, fuel clogging due to debris or water in the fuel system are non-existent.

12. Weight Savings:

The AeroCarb itself weighs just over one pound less than the Bing Carb. There is additional weight savings in the simpler installation of approx 3 or 4 lbs with the deletion of the fuel pump (for those aircraft that can use gravity feed), carb heat box, and associated scat hose and clamps.

The AeroCarb has emerged as the preferred choice for a wide range of engine types. Hundreds of AeroCarbs are currently being flown on Continentals, Lycomings, VW's, Subaru's, Corvairs, and virtually every other aircraft powerplant under 160 hp. The AeroCarb is for those who love simplicity and want to maximize the performance of their Jabiru Engine.

There is an excellent article on this subject: "The $35 Hamburger" by Kerry Fores (Fuel Burn on the AeroCarb-equipped 3300 Jabiru)

What are the Fuel Burn rates and Performance with Standard Sonex Props?

The AeroCarb optimizes fuel burn for all three of the factory-supported engine options. With the 80hp engines (2200 Jabiru and 2180 AeroVee), we see a fuel burn of under 4 gph at 3000rpm. With the 120hp Jabiru Engine, we see fule burn rates of under 6 gph also at 3000 rpm. Read "The $35 Hamburger" for more information about the AeroCarb on the Jabiru 3300 powered Sonex.

How does the use of the AeroCarb affect my Jabiru Engine Warranty?

To date, there has not been any concern expressed by the Jabiru Engine Factory or any of the Jabiru Dealers Worldwide in using the AeroCarb to unleash the potential of your engine. To our knowledge, they have honored all engine warranty issues brought to their attention regardless of AeroCarb use. That said, if you "cook" your Jabiru Engine using an AeroCarb because you weren't monitoring temperatures or didn't have your Carb tuned properly, then you will be paying for the repairs to your engine. Follow the detailed instructions in your AeroCarb set-up Manual and you will have one of the coolest running Jabiru Engines...with better fuel economy to boot.

The Bing Carb has been flying on Jabiru Engines all over the world for years. Why are you trying to reinvent the wheel by going to an AeroCarb?

Our best comparison to the modifications we make to the Jabiru Engine to make it better is the after-market Auto Market. There are many thousands of catalog and web site pages filled with different versions of carbs, manifolds, exhausts, fuel injectors, ignition systems, and misc accessories for just about every automobile on the road. These different versions make various claims as to increased performance, weight savings, better cooling, and better fuel economy just to name a few.... All the same things that the AeroCarb offers Jabiru Engine Pilots. Our question is, once you learn all of the advantages the AeroCarb brings with it, why would anyone fly with a Bing Carburetor?

How do I select a propeller for my Sonex, Waiex or Xenos?

We have gone through a thorough and scientific testing process with a wide range of propellers for all Sonex Aircraft Models. We work most closely with Sensenich Propellers and have flown many different models and sizes of their fixed-pitch wood and wood-core composite coated propellers. The recommended propellers are listed on the Propeller Page on this site.

How do I select a propeller for my direct-drive AeroVee powered Aircraft (other than Sonex, Waiex or Xenos)?

There are a handful of people in the world that understand the proper design and selection of propellers for different engine and airframe combinations. We have put our trust in Sensenich and their design engineers, who are among the leading experts in their field. They have generated a database of recommended propellers playing to the strength of the Direct-Drive Jabiru 2200 Engines and other direct drive VW Engine conversions. For a first prop iteration on the AeroVee, we have simply made Left-turning version of the Jabiru 2200 propellers. It's a great way to get close on the very first prop.

There is no question higher propeller efficiencies can be reached using a reduction drive. However, reduction drives come at a cost to complexity and weight. Instead, keep the weight off and design the prop to turn up higher.

Our Xenos is impressive to watch climb out using the purpose-designed 56-inch Sensenich prop. A similar propeller would be recommended for slower high-wing aircraft where optimizing climb performance is the goal.

We are very confident in the AeroVee and feel it will continue to take marketshare away from the more expensive and complex alternatives without sacrificing performance.

Is it possible to use an adjustable pitch prop?

To date, we have not found a ground- or air-adjustable propeller that is appropriate to use with the direct-drive Jabirus and AeroVee. We have instead focused all of our development focus on light-weight, simple, inexpensive, reliable and high-performance two-blade fixed-pitch wood or wood-core, composite-clad prop. View or Propellers Page for more information.

What is Sonex Aircraft's approach to propeller selection and how does Sonex Aircraft measure and compare performance with the various propeller manufacturers?

After 30 years of testing hundreds of different propellers in a quest to achieve maximum performance out of a wide range of airframe and engine combinations, there are many things we have learned.

Generally, performance increases will happen in very small increments when using different propeller makes and models. In rare cases, you can see huge performance increases when the first prop is totally "out of the performance box". With the two companies we have been working with, Sensenich and Prince, they have been very close to an optimized prop with their first design.

When measuring performance, it is very important to do an "apples vs. apples" comparison. This means flying the props you wish to compare in identical atmospheric conditions flown on a triangular course to account for wind speed and direction. Sonex Aircraft, LLC has developed a very large database of prop performance over the past 10 years for all 3 of our standard engine options...not only from our own prop tests (approx. 20 different propellers on our factory aircraft), but also from flying customer aircraft.

We have made no secret that we prefer to pitch props on the climb side of things, which will give you maximum power when you need it most-on climb-out...especially if you're operating out of a short, grass strip with obstacles. It does not hurt to allow direct drive engines like the Jabiru or AeroVee to "turn up" at Wide Open Throttle (WOT), so in most cases the climb props can obtain the same top speeds as cruise props, just at a higher rpm and slightly higher fuel burn. It is therefore very important to record performance data at various tachometer settings when comparing two or three different propellers to each other.

Sonex Aircraft, LLC will continue to test a wide range of props to continue the quest for optimized performance. Please refer to the SonexAircraft.com Propeller Page for the most current recommended Propeller List.

Sonex Aircraft, LLC has an excellent reputation for publishing conservative and realistic performance numbers. We feel this is of the utmost importance when customers and potential customers are looking at the Sonex, Waiex, or Xenos as their next project.

What is the estimated Build Time?

800-1,000 hours is the average build time using the Sonex or Waiex Complete Airframe Kit, and we have seen build times as low as 500 hours. Completion of the Xenos Complete Airframe Kit should take between 1,000-1,200 hours on average. These build time estimate, like all build time estimates, will vary with things like build experience, life distractions, your ability to complete long-term projects and other factors.

How much Shop Space is required to build the Sonex, Waiex or Xenos?

Speaking in terms of absolute minimums, the minimum shop size to build the Sonex or Waiex is 6 feet by 16 feet. 10 feet by 30 feet would be the absolute minimum space required to build the Xenos.

Do you offer Workshops on Xenos construction just like the Sonex and Waiex?

Yes. The Sonex/Waiex workshop has been merged with the Xenos workshop because the construction methods are the same. See the Workshops Page for the workshop schedule and more information.

Can I purchase the Sonex Kit in Sections?

It is possible to build the Sonex in sections, but it is very expensive. We have poured all of our efforts in making the business run efficiently with minimal staff and facilities by supplying one complete kit package and passing all those savings on to our builders. This is the primary reason the Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos dominate the kit aircraft industry with the best performance per dollar.

If the builder prefers to build in sections, the Sonex Plans list every part needed by part number and description, and it is up to the builder to decide what they're going to buy at what stage. Keep in mind that building this way not only loses approximately $3200 in part kit discounts ($1200 from the kit and $2000 for the individual part kit discounts), but also adds approximately $2000 in additional shipping. While much more expensive, it can be done.

Note: The individual part numbers and prices are all listed on our web site and can be viewed by clicking on the sub-kit name in the Sonex Scratch Building Sub-Kit listing: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/kits/scratch.html

We highly recommend starting your kit aircraft savings account now in order to purchase the whole kit at one time. This saves Sonex Builders a significant amount of time and money. Remember that financing is available for Sonex, Waiex or Xenos kits through two independant aviation finance firms.

Can the Xenos and Waiex be purchased in Sections?

No. The Xenos and Waiex are only available as complete kits. Note that the Xenos kit is nearly identical to the the Sonex/Waiex kits. While the Xenos does share a significant number of parts with the Sonex and Waiex, it just has a lot more ribs, skins, and other parts.

How much money can be saved by scratch-building instead of building from a kit?

In the very roughest of numbers, a scratch-built Sonex Airframe will cost you about $7,000* in materials IF you do all your welding, metal forming, layouts, etc. That compares directly to the $13,500* airframe kit.

The reality is that once they do the analysis, most builders are going with the Complete Airframe Kit. In our opinion, you'll have well less than 1/2 the build time along with some other great benefits...laser-cut skins and factory welded parts make for an extremely accurate build experience.

Many scratch builders decide to pick-and-choose certain kit components to purchase from Sonex for portions of the project they do not wish to tackle. A list of all of the individual items available for purchase for the scratch builder can be found on our Scratch Building page. The "essential" items, that most scratch builders usually purchase total about $4,500 with the rest of the $7K being in Aluminum material, hardware, and steel tubing for welding.

If you are considering scratch building as a way to better afford a Complete Airframe Kit by purchasing all the components individually over time, you are guaranteed to spend much more than the Airframe Kit price by the time your aircraft is completed (read "Can I purchase the Sonex Kit in Sections?" above). The only way to glean any cost savings by scratch building is to fabricate the majority of the aircraft parts yourself from raw materials.

In summary, people that elect to truly scratch-build the Sonex should be doing so for the added challenge and educational value that scratch building offers, not as a way to save money.

*prices as of 09/2006. Note that any Complete Airframe Kit price increases that occur are mostly tied with material cost increases, so the proportional relationship between the $7,000 material cost and $13,500 kit price quoted above will remain very much the same as kit prices increase over the years.

With the stainless steel rivets against the aluminum skin, isn't there a galvanic corrosion problem?

No. We have been using this combination for 25 years and have not experienced galvanic corrosion.

I thought Sonex aircraft were assembled with blind rivets; why is a bucking bar on the required tools list?

The bucking bar is for the standard AD aircraft rivets used in the spar build-up. We recommend using the Sonex Bucking Bar, a polished bolt, and a hammer in lieu of a standard bucking bar and rivet gun. This saves a lot of money and provides for a simple, inexpensive, and controllable method of installing solid rivets.

Can regular (1/8" diameter) bucked rivets be substituted for the blind (1/8") rivets where both sides are accessible?

Yes. However there are areas, particularly in the leading edge and closed control surfaces, where bucked rivets cannot be used.

Would it be possible to get some of the CAD files of the wing and rib components? What about digital copies of Sonex manuals?

No. For proprietary reasons, the plans and manuals are only available in printed form. There are, however, several instruction sheets available for download on the Manuals Page.

Is there room to install GPS-based moving map displays and MFD's? How about a transponder? How about a complete IFR panel?

You can install any instrumentation you wish in your Sonex, Waiex, or Xenos. Just keep track of the overall weight of the various packages and watch the power requirements. While the heart of the Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos is in a fun day VFR mission, they do enjoy very good cross country capability, especially due to their outstanding fuel economy.

What do you consider the "standard instrument package" for Sonex aircraft?

We have installed the Stratomaster Ultra Series of Instruments in the Waiex, Xenos, and Sonex Prototypes along with various versions of the Grand Rapids Technologies EIS. These digital instruments contain altimeter, airspeed, VSI,CHT,EGT, Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, Tachometer, and fuel level along with a wide range of other options. One of these "glass instruments" along with a nice handheld GPS and a handheld radio, or small panel-mount radio such as those offered by MicroAir or Becker, are all you need for the Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos Day-VFR mission. You can learn more about these instruments through the Instruments Page.

How do I register my aircraft for flight under the Sport Pilot rule?

It is our opinion that all Builders of the Sonex, Waiex, or Xenos should register their aircraft as Experimental/Amateur Built Aircraft. You can register your aircraft under these existing rules and fly it as a Sport Pilot. Registering as Experimental Amateur Built allows you to obtain a Repairman's Certificate for your aircraft and perform all of your own maintenance without attending specialized LSA maintenance classes.

EAA now offers an Amateur-Built Aircraft Certification Kit, which is available for purchase online. The kit includes everything you need to register and certificate a new experimental amateur-built aircraft. The 15-page, step-by-step Certification Guide walks you through the entire process-from getting an N number to the aircraft inspection-and provides samples of how to complete each required form. The certification kit also includes all FAA forms, Experimental sticker (in black), dataplate, and a convenient placard decal sheet.

For More information about Sonex Aircraft and Sport Pilot, view our Sport Pilot pages.

What are the annual inspection requirements for homebuilt aircraft?

To maintain an aircraft's airworthiness, an Annual Condition Inspection must be performed and logged in the aircraft's airframe logbook. The detail and scope of this inspection for aircraft registered in the United States of America is outlined by the FAA in FAR 43, Appendix D.

This appendix is available on the FAA's website at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/. Follow the links on this site to FAR 43, Appendix D.

A more user-friendly version of the this FAR is available to EAA members in the Homebuilder's section of their website, www.eaa.org. The EAA's inspection document is formatted in an easy-to-use checklist format.

Your particular aircraft may require additional inspections depending on installed equipment (Transponders, VOR's, etc).

It is your responsibility to maintain your aircraft as prescribed by the governing authority of your country. Failure to complete and properly document each annual condition inspection can jeopardize the safety of your aircraft, your insurance, and your piloting privileges.

Does the Xenos meet the criteria for Powered Gliders?

Yes. The Xenos does meet the criteria set-forth by FAA Advisory Circular AC 21-17a defining Powered Gliders. The Xenos can be registered as an Experimental/Amateur Built aircraft and flown by pilots who hold a glider license with a self-launch glider endorsement. The Xenos can also be flown under both the Sport Pilot, and Private Pilot regulations. For more information about the definition of a Powered Glider, and the applicability of the Xenos, read our Motorglider Definition page.