ScottM-Sonex1629 wrote:I’m not trying to say shut up and hide known problems....
Well to be brutally honest that was the exact takeaway I got from your statement ... and it appears some others did also. It seems at best a sincere desire to keep Sonex in a good light and at its worse an attempt to hide defects from potential customers. I don't want to believe you meant any harm but to be honest ... those type of statements can cause a lot of damage to future readers of this forum.
Aren't you affiliated with the foundation that should have as its first priority the safety of those that choose this aircraft? I believe at one time you were. When an earlier discussion was had about safety information and whether it should be available here and in the foundation site you indicated that it didn't need to be here on this site but that a link could be provided. Others wanted it here to discuss it openly. I also noted that the accident information in that thread doesn't appear to be updated as it should have been. See it here:
http://www.sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1852&hilit=sonex+accidentsI've repeatedly stated how much I like the way this air frame performs and I've flown a number of ultralights, light sport, and general aviation aircraft. This one is my favorite hands down. I have also stated that I think the Aerovee can be a good choice on a light weight, slick, tail wheel airplane that isn't overloaded or flown on really hot days. It is my belief that the little VW is being pushed a bit too hard and because of that reliability (longevity) suffers and that is why head & valve work is required quite often. I don't care for the Aerocarb and won't use one. I won't get into the reasons but it startles me that Sonex is celbrating their 20th anniversary and they made a simple carb for the exact same engine (80HP VW) for many years and yet so many are still having difficulty at the outset with some using #2 needle, others a 2.5 or 3 and still others having to grind custom needles, not to mention beating up the threads to keep the setting from changing during adjustment, etc. I'm of the belief that at some point they would have locked in a set up that worked out of the box for the very engine it was designed for.
Many have come forth to say the fix for the burps is easy. Might be but is that in the carb manual? Saying the problem isn't the carb where the "burps" are concerned is not quite correct as the carb should be designed for the environment it will be in or the exact requirements for the fuel system should be set forth. BTW ... a study of accident data proves that most accidents in experimental airplanes are caused by subsequent owners i.e second and third owners and verifies what Kerry was stating. Most common cause is loss of control in flight. Behind that is "engine failure for unknown reasons" which is the verdict in most Aerovee engine related crashes.
I want Sonex to succeed! They know how to do this and they've done it before. Were you around during the "box baffle" days? Many said everything was fine but others were beating their heads against the wall try to fix cooling issues. Sonex stepped up and designed the "fence baffle system" and life was much better. They also did their magic when Aerovees were shedding props (yes it was more than two as some have erroneously reported) by 1) designing a better crank, 2) better prop hub, 3) opening up the oil plug on # 4 bearing, 4) offering to facorty mount the prop hub on the crank. Presto! No more issues! *** See Edit Notes *** Now they just need to do that with the Aerocarb!
***Edit*** In view of some recent accident data with Aerovee equipped Sonex aircraft it appears that the prop separation concerns may still be an issue. For instance:
https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20170604X50503&AKey=1&RType=HTML&IType=LAhttps://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20151116X55444&AKey=1&RType=HTML&IType=LA***EDIT***
So please don't ask to limit the free exchange of ideas. I know sometimes the information gets lost and the smoke gets thick. The problem I have is seeing people on this list tell things that are untrue (read lies) and when called out one of three things happen; 1) they double down and insist they are correct in the face of absolute proof to the contrary, 2) they go away mad, 3) they PM the moderator that sends a PM to say "please be nice to "_ _ _ _ " as you hurt their feeling and they might leave the group over this." Yes seriously all three have happened.
Sorry this got so long but the truth is ... I don't have any hard feelings or a grudge against anyone. I really, really, really, want Sonex to be amazingly successful. But that can't happen in a place where open and honest dialog is hindered.
Dale Williams
N319WF @ 6J2
Myunn - "daughter of Cleanex"
120 HP - 3.0 Corvair
Tail Wheel - Center Stick
Signature Finish 2200 Paint Job
171.9 hours / Status - Flying
Member # 109 - Florida Sonex Association
Latest video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VP7UYEqQ-g