SonexBuilders.net

Bryan Cotton wrote:https://sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=7180

I have the pattern. Weighs almost nothing. Weight is the enemy. The downside? No good for hauling bags of cement.

That’s awesome! My partner is quite the seamstress, so I think I’ll put her to work!

Very nice!
I have something similar.
My "box" part has a zippered lid, which retains contents against turbulent movement and provides a shelf for inflight stuff (maps etc).
The box should have been deeper - going down to just above the elevator tube - I regret the lost volume and will have to modify it sometime.
My bullhead "triangle" is carbon fiber covered in the same marine "carpet" at the cockpit. Like yours fixed with Velcro.

I am very disappointed in the "cargo" space in my Sonex - its soooo much less than my last aircraft, an ATEC Zephyr.
To improve this a little, I have plans to make the underseat access easier. To use this space I will have to ensure nothing interferes with flight control systems, so some light weight barriers will be installed. The "stuff" which will go in here will be the least likely to be used, on an away trip eg jack & tyre repair, first aid kit, etc.
I am also going to make a "box" for the right footwell - this will be for 20L x 2 collapsible fuel bladders/ filter funnel/etc - needed to fetch ULP (MoGas) for refueling.

Hambone wrote:That’s awesome! My partner is quite the seamstress, so I think I’ll put her to work!

I'm sure I did a sketch somewhere. If I can find it I'll share it. I'm not the best at sewing so if your partner has skills, this is really easy to make. For the adhesive Velcro make sure you get the good industrial stuff. You could make it ahead of time and Velcro up the airframe when you get there. Also I'd buy the foam board in PA rather than transport it.

I really like my shallow baggage area. You can actually find and grab stuff whilst flying, if it is cross-cockpit and not behind you. We have carried tents, pads, and summer weight sleeping bags before. The seatbelts are a vertical barrier and I haven't lost anything yet, even when I screwed up hammerheads.

I went over my travel tool kit in one of my videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbgek8-X14o
Go to 1:19:07

Bryan Cotton wrote:I'm sure I did a sketch somewhere. If I can find it I'll share it.

I measured my pattern and recreated my sketch. Your partner could easily make this up and you could bring it with you. Darick and I both built A models bought at a very similar time.

Bryan Cotton wrote:

Bryan Cotton wrote:I'm sure I did a sketch somewhere. If I can find it I'll share it.

I measured my pattern and recreated my sketch. Your partner could easily make this up and you could bring it with you. Darick and I both built A models bought at a very similar time.

Thanks, Bryan! I don’t know if she will have time before I leave for Pennsylvania, but she can have a look at it and order some ripstop nylon and Velcro.

Here's my toolkit.


Screwdrivers, motorcycle toolkit pliers, valve stem extensions, spare key, spare canopy lock pin, spare pitot tube, dipstick puller, paper towel, flat wrench for the EarthX terminals, tire gauge. On my spare tube I also have a valve cap with a built in valve stem remover.

Bryan Cotton wrote:Here's my toolkit.

Screenshot_20240519-222511~2.png

Screwdrivers, motorcycle toolkit pliers, valve stem extensions, spare key, spare canopy lock pin, spare pitot tube, dipstick puller, paper towel, flat wrench for the EarthX terminals, tire gauge. On my spare tube I also have a valve cap with a built in valve stem remover.

Wow! To say you’re prepared for any eventuality is an understatement!

First Aid kit, thermal blanket
Water
Rations (high energy bar)
Emergency weather protection - disposable plastic poncho
Fire lighter, compass, mirror
EPIRB/PLB
Handheld radio