SonexBuilders.net

I emailed tech support yesterday asking if a 'B' conversion would be available. Kerry replied this morning
saying there would be, with no firm date but hoping for mid to late summer. The mod
will only be available as a kit.

Rick
Sonex 524

Did Kerry specify if there is anything that "A" model builders should NOT do at this time, especially on the wing kit?

This is certainly not official but I was told NOT to drill holes in he main spar for the Root Ribs as they get relocated. The skins will have to be cut down for the widened forward fuselage. Also the Cross tie box is different as well as the formers at the bend line. Was told that we might be able to keep the original formers and crosstie box if desired. This is all speculation and based solely on conversations with various Sonex folks at Sun N Fun

Did anyone get a chance to see how the wing spar attachments work in the "B" model? Any photos?

I'm wondering if the spar roots are different, given the wider fuselage. Its the one thing that might be a real show-stopper for those of us with an "A" model already in the works...

Thanks,

--Noel

Spar and tunnel appear the same but the holes through the side panels for the spars change because the forward fuselage angle changes

If the spar bolts are located in the same spots, the B model will be a breeze to install them in the plane. The A model is a real pain to up drill them as they are so close to the sides.

Looking at the pictures Mike Farley posted a couple of things caught my eye. The forward visibility looks like it might have been reduced because of the frame around the windscreen and the repositioning of the fuel filler. I also wonder if the windscreen is still polycarbonate, now that it is more likely to get fuel splashed onto it.
Each to their own but I think the vertical split cowl was a good feature of the Sonex, its a shame they have gone away from it.
Nice looking plane though.

Corby202 wrote:I also wonder if the windscreen is still polycarbonate, now that it is more likely to get fuel splashed onto it.

Well I liked the change in the split of the cowl for the "A" model; but the Onex-like fuel filler location is definitely the one element of the "B" Model that I don't like. It just seems like a way to get lots of fumes and fuel droplets in the cockpit/behind the instrument panel. :?

--Noel

Corby202 wrote: Each to their own but I think the vertical split cowl was a good feature of the Sonex, its a shame they have gone away from it.
Nice looking plane though.

Out of curiosity, why did you prefer the vertical split cowl? The reviews I have seen seem to uniformly say that the horizontally split cowl is far easier to work with.

A couple of reasons Mike. Main one, I found it so much easier to get a really good fit onto my Jabiru supplied plenum chambers with one half of the cowl on at a time whilst building and can retain that good fit because the cowl is not split accross that plenum. Looks better not having a join along the side (imho), they are easy and quick to remove.
Downside would be having to get under the plane to remove three pins.