Sonex high wing third flight

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MountainDude

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A super cool plane to add an option on top of RV-15 or Sling HW.
It will have a BRS option, which is great.

 
Interesting plane. Not a fan of the cowling, but I do like the Whitman Tailwind looks. Looking forward to seeing one in person.

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Half Fast said:
Why on earth did Sonex take a perfectly nice little plane and move the wing to the wrong place?
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For those of us that like to fly in the shade on occasion. Actually, seeing that it doesn't seem to have struts makes me wonder if it will make a good photo platform!

Considering that was probably a test pilot flying it, I wonder why he couldn't maintain the centerline! :fingerwag:
 
The takeoff roll seemed a bit longish, but that might have been part of the test flying?
 
Sat in it @ OSH.

I'm 6'2" and 230#. Remarkedly comfortable for my size. The sight line over the cowl is something to get used to. I'd consider building one.
 
The build time is also an interesting consideration. If true, it takes some of the trepidation of never-finishing away.
 
I thought I heard 80 or 90 lb baggage?

This thing is aerobatic - with passenger. Does that mean no aerobatics without a passenger???
 
The total kit price is $39k and the Quick Build is listed at $55k. I wonder how much they charge for full-on build assist (I can’t just buy a fully built one to just get in an airplane at this time. ).
 
DMD3. said:
The total kit price is $39k and the Quick Build is listed at $55k. I wonder how much they charge for full-on build assist (I can’t just buy a fully built one to just get in an airplane at this time. ).
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And add in the cost of an engine and whatever instruments you want. My guess it that it makes the cost around $75 or $80k. That still isn't a bad cost today.
 
Cap'n Jack said:
And add in the cost of an engine and whatever instruments you want. My guess it that it makes the cost around $75 or $80k. That still isn't a bad cost today.
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Isn't the engine includede on a Sonex? I remember seeing an engine kit that you have to build!
 
I was at AirVenture/Oshkosh this year and saw the Sonex HW next to the RV-15 in the adjacent booth. The Sonex is diminutive compared to the RV-15, or the Sling H/W for that matter. That probably accounts for a big part of the price difference. Different planes for different missions. I still like steel tube fuselages. They act like big roll cages and appear to provide more protection in an accident, or bad landing. A friend walked away from a wadded up Maule because of the steel tubes protecting the cockpit. I saw a similarly wrecked monocoque plane and jagged edges of torn aluminum looked deadly to me. I never did hear about the status of the occupants in that crash, but the visual remains left strong impressions on me.
 
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Lowflynjack said:
Isn't the engine includede on a Sonex? I remember seeing an engine kit that you have to build!
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I don't think so. They sell the AeroVee kit, a VW conversion. I remember it was around $12,000, more for a turbo. They also offer UL Power engines.
 
Anyone over 6'2" should sit in it to decide. It has a lot of headroom but if all your height is in your legs you might find it tight, if you have a long torso it should be fine. The first prototype has ULPower 350is and the second prototype (tricycle gear) will have Rotax 915 power. Kits begin shipping January 2026.
 
I remember sitting in a BD-4 at Oshkosh, and my one complaint was the spar being close to my head. So much so, that I worried about my head contacting it in a crash sequence. For the guys that sat in the Sonex, any concerns? Looked like that lower edge of the spar carry through could be very uncomfortable to the forehead.
 
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