B-Model Conversion Kits!

B-Model Conversion Kits!

Postby markschaible » Thu Apr 14, 2016 4:45 pm

Hello SonexBuilders.net!

Sonex Aircraft had a very successful showing of the Waiex B-Model at Sun ‘n Fun 2016, and we received a tremendous amount of interest from builders at the show wishing to convert their existing Sonex or Waiex projects to B-Models. As you have seen discussed on this forum, the level of interest was enough to make us reconsider the possibility of a conversion kit, and we are already working hard to organize the details of such a conversion.

I have created a poll with this message at: http://www.sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=2870
This poll is to solidify the level of serious interest into numbers that we can evaluate going forward. Please be sure to respond to this poll if you are interested, as a lack of response would reduce the likelihood that we will offer a conversion option.

Some things to keep in-mind when considering your interest level and providing your responses to our poll:
==========================
  • No exchange of legacy Sonex or Waiex parts will be made available.
  • Builders will have to get their projects to a defined “starting point” for conversion. That may mean either building-up to the point where changes begin to take place, or removing parts to get “back” to the starting point of conversion changes. We can only offer detailed technical support for the conversion from the starting point forward, and no “partial conversions” will be supported — we can only offer support for construction as defined in the plans that will be created for conversion.
  • Depending upon your project’s status and condition, you may need to fabricate or purchase replacement parts at additional expense that are not part of the conversion kit. This will be more likely if you need to remove parts to return to the conversion’s defined “starting point.” There are some common parts between legacy and B-Model, so if you’ve used or altered those common legacy parts, you will have to fabricate or buy them at additional cost. All new B-Model parts will be included in the conversion kits.
  • Conversion may not be as-easy of a project as starting with a completely new B-Model kit. No Quick Build services will be made available for conversion of your existing assemblies by Sonex shop staff.
  • Conversion kits and instructions will be made available only after full B-Model kits and plans are completed and shipped. New B-Model kit shipments are planned to commence in June, and some plan update packages may need to ship after kits begin shipping — Conversion plans will not be finalized until all B-Model plan update packages are completed. Our best estimate at this time is that conversion kits and instructions would not begin shipping until the late Summer or early Fall 2016 timeframe.
  • Total cost to you: Pricing of conversion kits will vary depending upon what you already have at the current time. If you have a Complete Airframe Kit, the conversion kit will be approximately half the price of a new B-Model Complete Airframe Kit. The wing conversion kit will be the least expensive at approximately $900, and as you can imagine, the fuselage conversion kit will be the most expensive at approximately $6,500 (these estimates are subject to change). Regular B-Model Sub-Kits can be purchased in-place of any legacy Sub-Kits you haven’t yet purchased. We are actively working on the conversion packing lists and will have better pricing estimates available soon. You can find the current B-Model order form with pricing details for new kits at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/documents/B-Model_Order_Form.pdf
  • Regarding wing conversion kits, the price estimate mentioned above does not include new wing skins. The builder may trim their existing wing skins. Note that there will be some “ugly” unused holes and even some places where the new trim line cuts through unused legacy holes. This does not pose any structural problems, and will never be seen in your finished aircraft because it is covered by the wing root doublers. Our prototype Waiex-B displayed at Sun ‘n Fun used trimmed legacy skins and it looks great! Builders may purchase new B-Model wing skins at additional cost if desired.
  • You will need to retain your original plans set with your project and your legacy aircraft serial number will not be valid for building additional projects. Legacy aircraft that have been converted will receive a version of their original serial number that includes a conversion designator.
  • Aircraft that are already flying may be converted and logged using the “major change” provisions of your aircraft’s operating limitations (in the United States). The conversion of a flying aircraft would be a very extensive project, but it can be done and poses no problems from the regulatory standpoint.
==========================

Some instructions for those interested in conversion when it comes to working on your existing projects that will make conversion easier:
==========================
  • Don’t install or rivet root ribs and wing skins.
  • Don’t construct the tail cone forward of the #2 formers.
  • If you only have a Tail Kit at this point, remember that B-Model Tail Kits are unchanged — you can just proceed with a regular B-Model order for the rest of your kit!
==========================
We’ll be working to document more FAQ’s regarding construction and preparation of legacy projects for conversion, as-necessary.

--
Mark Schaible
General Manager
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
phone: 920-231-8297
fax: 920-426-8333
http://www.SonexAircraft.com
http://www.AeroConversions.com

Sales Info: sales@sonexaircraft.com
Orders: orders@sonexaircraft.com
Accounting: accounting@sonexaircraft.com
Tech Support: tech@sonexaircraft.com

Build a Sonex Aircraft in Your School!
Check out the Sonex Education Initiative: http://education.sonexaircraft.com/
Attachments
IMG_7458.jpg
markschaible
 
Posts: 119
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:01 pm

Re: B-Model Conversion Kits!

Postby markschaible » Tue May 10, 2016 3:41 pm

Hello SonexBuilders.net!

I just wanted to repost yesterday's announcement again today in the "Sonex Aircraft, LLC Posts" section for broader reference and archive. You can find the full Conversion Kits thread at: http://www.sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=2870
===========================================================

Sonex is very pleased to announce that we are now taking orders for B-Model Conversion Kits thanks to the tremendous feedback received from builders at Sun 'n Fun, messages and poll responses in this forum thread, and private messages we've received!

Orders can be placed online at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/eshop/cart ... ory_id=417
or via our Order Form at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/documents/ ... r_Form.pdf

Pricing came-in under our original estimates with a full conversion cost of only $9,552 (base price)! For those of you with one or more legacy sub-kits yet to purchase in your project, conversion cost may be much lower -- full pricing details at the links above.

Please Read: Special B-Model Conversion Kit Considerations

    • No exchanges of legacy Sonex or Waiex parts are available.
    • Builders will have to get their projects to a defined "starting point" for conversion. That may mean either building-up to the point where changes begin to take place, or removing parts to get "back" to the starting point of conversion changes.
    • Depending upon a project’s status and condition, builders may need to fabricate or purchase replacement legacy (A-Model) parts at additional expense that are not part of the conversion kit. This will be more likely if builders need to remove parts to return to the conversion’s defined "starting point."
    • No "partial conversions" will be supported — Sonex Aircraft can only offer support for construction as defined in the plans that are provided for conversion.
    • Wing conversion kits do not include new B-Model wing skins, as the conversion is most economically made by trimming existing wing skins. Builders may opt to purchase new B-Model wing skins at additional expense.
    • Builders must retain their original legacy plans set with their projects and legacy aircraft serial numbers will not be valid for building additional projects. Legacy aircraft that have been converted will receive a version of their original serial number that includes a conversion designator.

As-always, please feel free to contact us with any remaining questions you might have!

--
Mark Schaible
General Manager
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
phone: 920-231-8297
fax: 920-426-8333
http://www.SonexAircraft.com
http://www.AeroConversions.com

Sales Info: sales@sonexaircraft.com
Orders: orders@sonexaircraft.com
Accounting: accounting@sonexaircraft.com
Tech Support: tech@sonexaircraft.com

Build a Sonex Aircraft in Your School!
Check out the Sonex Education Initiative: http://education.sonexaircraft.com/
markschaible
 
Posts: 119
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:01 pm


Return to Sonex Aircraft, LLC Posts

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest