Building and flying my Sonex # number 1095 was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences of my life. It is an ingeniously simple and strong design and just a blast to fly. I will always be grateful for the excellent customer support I received during my build.
I have built 3 legacy models...2 from kits and 1 from plans. I am now rebuilding another legacy model that was badly damaged. Sonex Is a great company and I enjoy seeing them every year at Oshkosh.
When I was a 9 year old kid I went with my dad (My dad was a very early EAA member ) over this guys house in Elgin Illinois. We went to the guys garage to see the airplane he was building. We later went into the guys house where I noticed that the guy had built a small airplane like a pedal car that his young son could ride on. That guy was at the time a school teacher named John Monnett and the airplane was the prototype Sonerai and the pedal car airplane is hanging from the ceiling in this video, at the 1:09 mark. I'm guessing John built that for his son Jeremy. I'm 59 years old now and still remember that day and how nice of a guy John was to me and my dad.
www.pbsaerospace.com/aerospace-products/engines/turbojet-engines/tj-100-turbojet-engine Here is a link to the PBS page for more engine information, hope this helps answer some questions!
@@trvman1 seems you known nothing: the Sonex (with prop engine) are approved as ultralight in Europe, and only safe aircrafts can reach this approvation...The only reason i did not buy a Sonex kit for long time is the small cockpit headroom who is not adapted for people of more than 1,80M height like myself...
Lot's of cool things going on there. I hope to be able to report more in the very near future about what else is going on there. Projects etc. Thank You for watching and supporting here!
A10 warthog without the massive gun isn't a warthog at all :( I don't think they make mini GAU-10 Avengers, and I don't think the general public could afford one either. A mini F-15, on the other hand...
@@jakesmith2341 You miss the whole point. It's about taking an existing air frame and giving it that extra 300 ftlbs of thrust. the wings and copy of the A10 tail in my engineering mind could be one of the best performing micro jets in the world. Ask an A10 pilot if he be able to dog fight an F15
@@muddypawsadventurer7775 the wings and tail are pretty good darn cool, I'll agree. I kinda wish there was an affordable consumer jet with afterburners, but that's pie-in-the-sky, no?
Thank You! We appreciate your support! I think it is a great design as well. Especially now with the B-Model being able to accept a wider variety of engine options. 197mph VNE is really nice to play with on the other end of the scale too!
Yup, you said it perfectly! That's why I ended up getting one. The tradeoff though is that they are small, something you notice right away in person. But they're a ton of fun nonetheless!
Have you considered doing a twin jet variant? Something along the lines of an A-10 configuration? With a V tail. That would be fun to fly. Just a thought. God bless, stay well.
I would like to start with a 2-place SubSonex, but mount a Rotax 915 in the nose, with in-flight adjustable prop (electric constant speed). That way the plane would already have the aerodynamic flight surfaces to handle high speeds and g’s. If I ever get the money together I’m going to set up an appointment to talk it over with them.
@@vax4200 Multiple people have installed BRS systems on Sonex Aircraft, there's a few vids floating around. The issue is weight and the space they take up, but it can absolutely be done.
Truly an excellent presentation. IF... I were in the market to build a plane, I would give Sonex a definite, serious evaluation. Who's knows, however... if my ship comes in tomorrow and I'm not at the airport.... You earned my subscription; looking forward to more presentations.
Wow... When you really think about the pricing it's not out of reach for MOST moderately successful people... If you can live without the jet it's not even as expensive as a properly equipped 1-ton work truck... Imma start savin...
It's not as hard to own a plane as most people think. I'm in the lower middle class spectrum and own a Maule M4 Rocket and some other toys. Now I'd prefer the M7 260,but not happening 😆 I got my M4 needing recovered and did it myself with help from a friend with his ticket. Every plane I've bought has needed work,I've paid cash,purchased wisely and made money when sold except for one. But I put 200 hours on my 172 and broke even. I've only bought 1 new truck years ago and when I calculated what they made in interest I said never again. I've got a 93 3500 dually I bought around 2000 to tow my boat and use as a truck that's been updated with new motor and trans swap. I've also got a 2013 Audi S3 that was a totaled theft recovery. Again I shopped around finding the right deal and even though it's got a branded title I'll sell it for profit if possible and if not I'll keep it until it owes me nothing. I calculated the money we've saved over the years in interest and it's astronomical and while it takes some sacrifices at first. Once you're rolling with saving and investing it goes fast
Great tour of the factory. I was actually debating building a Sonex before I decided on the Cruzer. Still a really nice plane. Retracts would be cool on the Sonex.
You and I both! I might make it the second build once the first is flying. You can fit a Low Wing and a High Wing in most hangars together you know! :-)
I noticed in the short clip from Oshkosh that one of the Sub Sonex's had an extended nose (the one with the Russian star on the empennage) Who's plane is that and where can I see more about it?
That was something I learned about myself in my Sonex journey, don't think I'd have the patience to build right now. Instead I bought a project and brought it back to life. Keep an eye on Barnstormers, multiple project opportunities come and go.
Hah! Noooo! Not yet anyway. Can only work on one new Aircraft project at a time while bringing new Aviation Content to you weekly. But... I am going to keep an open conversation with Sonex for future.
Sonex? John Monett had the Moni, which became the sonex. My pops had the Monett Sonerai 1 with a souped up VW engine, and it was cool and fast for a small good looking bird. I wonder if they will every bring back the Sonerai 1 and 2?
i have just few hrs in cessna s (single engine) as student pilot long back. i still keep browsing about tiny planes in GA sector. i am wondering if any experts here can clarify few doubts i have: - considering himalayan/ tibetan mountain ranges and their weather patterns, is it possible to design a piston-engine (normal petrol), single-place aircraft, with about a ceiling of 35,000 ft? - can the same aircraft be STOL & fuel efficient at low altitudes for cross country flying/ long trips? thanks in advance.
I’m no engineer, but as a student of history and looking back at WW2 they used to super charge the engine to compensate for the lack of oxygen at high altitudes…. Which brings upon more issues, like a working oxygen set up for the pilot.. or pressurization like a commercial aircraft 🤷♂️👍👌
@@Classickoolcars thanks for your reply sir. i am aware of the oxygen and pressure issues. 35k ceiling for long sustained flights is not my requirement. carrying an oxygen mask/ cylinder shouldn’t be a problem even in an ultralight. in highly dangerous himalayan territory, i am only looking for 35k ceiling for unknown special situations.
1) It is in production. 2) It is still very much supported and parts/kits available NOW 3) It appears to be a better design. Thanks for taking the time to watch!
looks a lot like a Blohm and Voss Bv P.213 (Miniatur-Jager), with better placement of a more modern jet. Just sayin >> A Pulse jet could really drop the costs
What is the max thrust of the engine and it's cost ? is there only one engine available ! Can the engine that powers a cruise missile be purchased and utilized on a Sonex aircraft ?
The engine that they use it's a pbs with about 1100Nm of thrust, but is expensive like 70k, but there is another engine called jetcat p1000 with the same thrust wich is alot chraper, i think. I couldn't find the price for it but one of their engines with half that thrust (500Nm) still flyable on this airplane but way slower, costs like 10.000 so i guess tha p1000 can cost somewhere over 20.000 but i think no more than 40.000 dollars
I'm going to interpret no further news of their electric powerplant as meaning that the project is dead. It's a shame really. Such a system doesn't make much sense in their standard Sonex or Waiex, but it makes absolute sense in their Xenos motor glider. Sonex is the only company making a glider kit, let alone a motor glider, that is reasonably priced and can be assembled by normal human beings.
It took them how many years to get to the B-Model... now you want a C-Model? Geeesh! Hah! So... what would this "C-Model" look like in your mind? Details? :-)
C-model: 500lbs crew weight. Staggered seats accepted. Max takeoff 1320 - 1450lbs. Tapered removable wings! Second set of extended wingtips for the rockies and alps. Wingloading ~ 11.5 lbs/ft2. VNE 199mph, +6g -3g. Slightly wider / longer fuselage. More prop clearance for standard props. Accepts engines like: 320/340, Vikings, ULs, 3300, etc. Regards from the alps
The jet is like your hot motorcycle for the weekend hour rip , so I have a car for travelling and work and a motorcycle for different reasons...The jet is a second airplane that fits in your hanger under the wing of your 172..
