A Sonex is an experimental airplane that can be built from plans or from a kit. The plane is made from 6061 aluminum sheet metal and pull rivets. The air frame was designed to positive 6 Gs and negative 3 Gs. At the proper payload one can do aerobatics, which is something I’ve always wanted to try. The company has designed three engine options: a 70-80 Hp 2180cc air cooled VW engine, a 80 Hp 22oo cc Jabiru engine (Australian), and a 120 Hp 3300cc Jabiru engine. The Sonex company offers the VW engine as a complete kit that one can assemble and is reasonably priced in the aircraft engine world. The Jabirus are more expensive but offer more oomph.
The cabin is two place side by side, with a width of 40″. Can be built with two control sticks or a single one in the center. The empty weight comes in from 640 – 700 lbs, and gross weight is 1100 lbs.
The airplane is very economical. Since a vast majority of flying is local trips the Sonex fits the bill.
Since we stared the plane Sonex has updated the airframe to the B model which has some improvements. We are building an A, or Legacy, model Sonex.
Company website: Sonex