Sonex Aircraft Sonex

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Sonex
SonexC-GVZI01.jpg
Role Kit aircraft
Manufacturer Sonex Aircraft
Designer John Monnett
Primary userprivate owners
Number built311 (Sonex, Dec 2011)
1 (Onex, Dec 2011)
33 (Waiex, Dec 2011)
7 (Xenos, Dec 2011) [1]
Variants Sonex Aircraft Onex
A Sonex at the company display at Sun 'n Fun 2004. SonexN232TM01.jpg
A Sonex at the company display at Sun 'n Fun 2004.
Sonex on floats at Airventure 2008. N12SX Sonex On Floats.jpg
Sonex on floats at Airventure 2008.
Sonex Aircraft Waiex Waiex.jpg
Sonex Aircraft Waiex
Sonex Xenos at Airventure 2008. N112XS Sonex Xenos.jpg
Sonex Xenos at Airventure 2008.
Onex Sonex-Onex.jpg
Onex
SubSonex prototype Sub Sonex JSX-1.jpg
SubSonex prototype
Sonex Waiex with a Viking 110 engine Viking-Waiex.jpg
Sonex Waiex with a Viking 110 engine

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. [2] The Sonex can also be built from plans. [1] [3] [4]

Contents

Company founder John Monnett was approached by an Italian business looking for an aircraft that would meet their Microlight category. A variation of Sonerai was initially proposed to meet the 40 mph minimum flight speed requirement. Eventually a clean-sheet design was built around a Jabiru or VW engine installation with similar all-aluminum box fuselage construction as the Monnett Moni. [5] The Sonex can accept various lightweight – less than 200 lb (91 kg) – engines of between 80 and 130 hp (60 and 97 kW). [6] [7]

The Sonex, Waiex and Xenos all qualify as American experimental light-sport aircraft (ELSA). [8]

Development

The Sonex plans contain several construction options, including conventional or tricycle landing gear, as well as a center or dual stick. Motor mount drawings are supplied for all three recommended powerplants: the 2180cc Volkswagen, 2200 Jabiru, and 3300 Jabiru. High performance is achieved through a clean aerodynamic shape and simple, light weight construction.

The Sonex can be built from scratch using factory supplied drawings or may be assembled in approximately 800 to 1,000 hours using the precut complete airframe kit. A complete kit based Sonex can be constructed for as little as USD$25,600. [9] [10]

The aviation website Aero-News.Net named the Sonex the Plane Of The Year - E-LSA Kit Category for 2006. [11]

Variants

Sonex
The original model, incorporating a low-wing design, seats two, and a conventional tail. Available as plans or a kit. [4] [12]
Sonex B
Introduced in April 2016, this model is a modification of the original Sonex, with an enlarged cockpit for larger and taller pilots, a center "Y-stick", electric flaps and dual throttles as standard. Support for the CAMit 3300 was offered and more room for the Rotax 912 and ULPower UL350i series of engines. [13] [14]
Waiex
In production - Almost identical to the Sonex, but features a Y-tail. [15] Although similar in looks to a V-tail, the Y-tail has a stub rudder in line with the aft fuselage. [16] The company markets this version under the motto Just Because It Looks Cool. Available as a kit only. [4] [6] [17]
Waiex B
Introduced April 2016 - Same improvements as Sonex B [18]
e-Flight Waiex
Waiex electric aircraft variant, powered by a DC brushless electric motor, built in 2007 and first displayed at AirVenture in 2009. Available as a kit only. [4] [6]
Xenos
In production - motor-glider development of the Waiex with longer wings and the same choice of engines. Available as a kit only. [4] [6] [19]
Onex
(pronounced One-ex by the company) In production [20] - All new design introduced at Airventure 2009. The design features a single seat with folding wings and an AeroVee Volkswagen air-cooled engine. [21] [22]
Teros
(2015) A proposed UAV, developed with Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation using the Waiex airframe powered by a turbocharged Aero-Vee engine. [23]
SubSonex
A single place single engine turbine aircraft similar in design to an Onex, with a Waiex style Y tail. Introduced at Airventure 2009. Powered by a Czech-built PBS TJ-100 turbojet engine mounted above the aft fuselage, with the exhaust exiting between the Y-tail. The SubSonex achieved first engine test runs in December 2009. The engine produces 240 lb (109 kg) of thrust. Originally developed with only a central mono pod wheel, tail wheel and small wing tip outriggers. The prototype developed directional controllability problems during taxi-tests. The SubSonex now has a tricycle landing gear. [24] [25] [26] [27] and was flight tested by Jet-sailplane performer Bob Carlton in August 2011. [28]

Specifications (Sonex)

Data frommanufacturer’s website [29]

General characteristics

Performance

Related Research Articles

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is an American kit aircraft manufacturer located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, producing kits for four all-metal homebuilt monoplanes. The company was founded in 1998 by John Monnett, who has designed the Monnett Sonerai sport aircraft series, Monnett Monerai sailplane, Monnett Moni motorglider, and Monnett Monex racer. Monnett designs are displayed in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum near Washington D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thorp T-211</span> Type of aircraft

The T-211 is a light aircraft designed in the US by John Thorp in 1945. It is a low-wing monoplane of conventional layout with fixed tricycle undercarriage and a sliding canopy. John Thorp developed the Sky Scooter with lessons learned from developing the Lockheed Little Dipper project in 1944. It bears some family resemblance to the Piper Cherokee, a design that Thorp later contributed to significantly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabiru 3300</span> 1990s Australian piston aircraft engine

The Jabiru 3300 is a lightweight four-stroke, horizontally opposed "flat-six" air-cooled aircraft engine produced by Jabiru Aircraft. The engines are direct drive and fitted with alternators, silencers, vacuum pump drives and dual ignition systems as standard. The engine is used to power homebuilt and ultralight aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zenith STOL CH 701</span> Canadian family of light, two-seat aircraft

The Zenith STOL CH 701 and CH 750 are a family of light, two-place kit-built STOL aircraft designed by Canadian aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz through his Midland, Ontario, based company, Zenair. The CH 701 first flew in 1986 and the design is still in production. The CH 750 was first introduced in 2008. The CH 701 was later developed into the four-place Zenith STOL CH 801.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CZAW SportCruiser</span> Czech light-sport aircraft

The CSA SportCruiser is a two-seat, single engine, tricycle undercarriage, fixed-wing aircraft that was introduced in 2006 by Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW), now named Czech Sport Aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ULPower Aero Engines</span>

ULPower Aero Engines is a Belgian company which manufactures engines specifically designed for light aircraft/rotorcraft use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonex Xenos</span> American homebuilt aircraft

The Xenos is a light, aluminum, low-wing, two seat homebuilt aircraft, that can be registered as a motor glider or a light-sport aircraft (ELSA). Kits are produced and marketed by Sonex Aircraft, a small manufacturer based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabiru J430</span> Type of aircraft

The Jabiru J430 is one model in a large family of two- and four-seat Australian light aircraft developed as a touring aircraft and provided in kit form by Jabiru Aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fisher Dakota Hawk</span> Canadian homebuilt light aircraft

The Fisher Dakota Hawk is a Canadian side-by-side two-seat, conventional landing gear, single-engined, high-wing monoplane kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breezer Breezer</span> Type of aircraft

The Breezer is a low-wing, single-engine ultralight aircraft, seating two side by side. Designed and built in Germany, it meets both European and US light-sport aircraft requirements and has been in production since 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonex Aircraft Onex</span> American kit-built airplane

The Onex is an American single-seat, low-wing aircraft first flown on 27 January 2011 and currently being produced by Sonex Aircraft as a kit for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan Tornado</span> American kit aircraft

The Titan Tornado is large family of cantilever high-wing, pusher configuration, tricycle gear-equipped kit aircraft manufactured by Titan Aircraft of Austinburg, Ohio, for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arion Lightning</span> Type of aircraft

The Arion Lightning is a light-sport aircraft available as a kit aircraft or as a production Special LSA.

The Sonex Electric Sport Aircraft (ESA) was a two-place aircraft design that was under development by Sonex Aircraft, using the 80 hp (60 kW) Sonex e-Flight electric system for thrust. Sonex designed this aircraft as a part of an attempt to develop alternate fuels, to ensure feasibility of inexpensive sport aviation in the future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonex Aircraft SubSonex</span> American jet-powered homebuilt airplane

The SubSonex is an experimental, single-seat, amateur-built jet aircraft from Sonex Aircraft's "Hornet's Nest" development division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabiru J230</span> Australian homebuilt aircraft

The Jabiru J230 is an Australian light-sport aircraft, designed and produced by Jabiru Aircraft. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabiru J250</span> Type of aircraft

The Jabiru J250 is one model in a large family of two and four seat Australian light aircraft developed as touring aircraft and provided in kit form by Jabiru Aircraft. The aircraft was also assembled and sold in the US by Jabiru USA as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sport Performance Aviation Panther</span> Type of aircraft

The Sport Performance Aviation Panther is a single seat, all-metal, homebuilt aircraft under development by Sport Performance Aviation of Green Cove Springs, Florida. The aircraft is intended to be supplied as plans and as a kit for amateur construction.

The CAMit 2200 is an Australian lightweight four-stroke, 4-cylinder, horizontally-opposed air-cooled aircraft engine. Direct drive and using a solid-lifter valvetrain, the 2200 develops 81 hp (60 kW) at 3300rpm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CAMit 3300</span> Australian aircraft engine

The CAMit 3300 is an Australian lightweight four-stroke, 6-cylinder, horizontally-opposed air-cooled aircraft engine. Direct drive and using a solid-lifter valvetrain, the 3300 develops 127 hp (95 kW) at 3300rpm.

References

  1. 1 2 Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 70. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. ↑ "Sonex reports 500th completion". Sport Aviation: 14. January 2015.
  3. ↑ Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 72. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, pages 119-120. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  5. ↑ Jack Cox (Aug 1998). "The Sonex". Sport Aviation.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, pages 81 & 126. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN   1368-485X
  7. ↑ "The Sonex-B Kit". sonexaircraft.com. 21 November 2015.
  8. ↑ Experimental Aircraft Association (2010). "Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA)". Archived from the original on 10 August 2006. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
  9. ↑ Kitplanes Staff: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, page 72, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.
  10. ↑ "Affordable". Archived from the original on 2008-08-27. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  11. ↑ Aero-News Network (January 2007). "Final: ANN Names the 2006 Plane Of The Year--E-LSA Kit Category" . Retrieved 2008-03-15.
  12. ↑ Sonex Aircraft (2008). "Sonex - the Original Reality Check". Archived from the original on 2005-11-25. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  13. ↑ "Sonex -- The Sport Aircraft Reality Check!". www.sonexaircraft.com. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  14. ↑ "Sonex shows new B models for first time". 2016-04-02. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  15. ↑ Sonex Aircraft (2010). "Specifications - Tail Configuration: Y-tail". Archived from the original on 2006-04-05. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  16. ↑ Kitplanes, April 2005, Page 21
  17. ↑ Sonex Aircraft (2008). "Waiex - Just Because It Looks Cool". Archived from the original on 2006-04-05. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  18. ↑ "Sonex Introduces New B-Models". AVweb. 2016-04-05. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  19. ↑ Sonex Aircraft (2008). "Xenos". Archived from the original on 2006-04-05. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  20. ↑ "Onex Progress Update: January 26, 2012". Sonex Aircraft Onex. Archived from the original on January 29, 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  21. ↑ Sonex Aircraft (January 2010). "Onex". Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  22. ↑ Cook, Mark (July 2010). "Sonex Onex" . Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  23. ↑ "Sonex, Navmar To Produce UAVs". May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  24. ↑ Grady, Mary (December 2009). "First Flight Expected Soon For Jet-Powered Sonex" . Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  25. ↑ Sonex Aircraft (December 2009). "SubSonex Progress Updates". Archived from the original on 2009-08-27. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  26. ↑ Grady, Mary (June 2010). "Jet-Powered Glider Completes Test Flights" . Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  27. ↑ "Sonex -- The Sport Aircraft Reality Check!". sonexaircraft.com. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  28. ↑ "SubSonex Jet Completes Maiden Flight" . Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  29. ↑ "Sonex". Sonex Aircraft. Archived from the original on 2005-11-25. Retrieved 2006-04-14.
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