SonexBuilders.net

I just recently joined the forum and am very interested in starting a Waiex-B build (who doesn't love a V-tail???). However, I am concerned as to whether or not I will fit in one. I am 6'4" tall with a long lean build and a 34" inseam and fairly broad shoulders.

Anyone on here with a similar build that can chime in with their experience?

Even better, anyone on here in or around Santa Rosa Airport (KSTS) that owns or is in the process of building a Sonex aircraft that I might be able to check out?

Your best bet is going to be going to look at and sit in one in person. First time I finally saw a Waiex, coming form Cessnas, my first thought was "Wow that is small." It gave me that "Sonex smile" though, but I felt cramped with the dual sticks. So then I was on the hunt for a Sonex with the center stick. That way I can sit in the center when I'm solo, and still have some more room when I have a passenger. (I'm shorter than you, but stocky.)

I have yet to sit in one, but my understanding is that the most noticeable difference in the B model is that the cabin is wider at the knees. Plus a center stick is factory supported on the Waiex B, unlike the legacy model.

Again, you'll want to see and sit in one before moving forward.

The legacy Sonex with single stick is a perfect big bubba single seat airplane. I am a long legged 6-2, 240 lb guy that has flown 500 hours in this airplane in the center without a passenger.
Bob in Texas

Rob -

Welcome!

I'm 6' 1" with a 34" inseam and I weigh 215 lbs and I'm just finishing my legacy Sonex; so I can speak pretty directly to your size concerns.

As others have alluded to in their comments about sitting in the middle of the airplane, the Sonex canopy starts to curve inward just above the cockpit sidewalls. The shape means that there's a lot more headroom near the center of the fuselage than in the "left" or "right" seats.

With the "standard" seat and a center-mounted stick in the legacy Sonex, I *barely* fit in the left or right seats (wearing a headset is a problem if I sit upright). I am planning on using a thick (~4") cushion behind my tailbone to scoot my butt forward and sit in a more-reclined position when I fly with a passenger. Flying solo, I can sit in the center and have decent clearance between my head and the canopy (perhaps 2"-3").

With the "lowered" seat in a legacy Sonex, you should be able to fit OK. The only "catch" being that it requires a dual-stick arrangement. During my initial pilot training and early flights with friends I found that having a stick in your lap is awesome for short flights and for "yanking and banking"; but that it can be a hassle on cross-country flights as you can't rest a map or a sandwich in your lap when the stick is there. ;-)

The good news is that the "B" models changed the seat-pan structure and the seat should be mounted an inch or two lower than the legacy model. For some reason I cannot find videos or photos of the new structure right now (although I'm sure I've seen photos or CAD renderings); but IIRC the "B" should be a bit easier for you to fit into than the legacy model.

If you want to get some numbers and specifics on the changes, I encourage you to give the Sonex folks a call sometime during normal business hours and have a chat with Kerry or one of the other knowledgeable staff who've been there long enough to work on both the "legacy" and "B" models.

Just keep in mind that these are small airplanes, no matter how the seat is arranged! Having owned (and raced) Mazda Miatas I find that there are a lot of similarities between the two: Both are lightweight, simple, compact machines with nimble handling qualities. They don't give you much room to stretch out, but for a few hours at a time they are a lot of fun!

Good luck,

--Noel

Just to add a sidenote, I recently switched to a Clarity Aloft headset and love it. I'm pretty big (6'2", 250) and with my previous headset I had to stay fairly low in the left seat to keep my headset from touching the canopy. With the over-the-ear headset, this is no longer an issue. Basically it bought me 1-2 inches of headroom.

Another Clarity Aloft user. Got a set for myself mainly for head clearance, Wife / co-pilot wanted conventional head set, and was short enough that clearance to canopy was not a problem, so got a good noise cancelling set. Then one day she asked to try my Clarity Aloft set. That was the last time the large noise canceling set was worn and had to buy another Clarity Aloft set for her, So they are not just for added head clearance to canopy. Very light and comfortable.

David A.

NWade wrote:Rob -

Just keep in mind that these are small airplanes, no matter how the seat is arranged! Having owned (and raced) Mazda Miatas I find that there are a lot of similarities between the two: Both are lightweight, simple, compact machines with nimble handling qualities. They don't give you much room to stretch out, but for a few hours at a time they are a lot of fun!

--Noel

Noel makes an excellent comparison here. If one doesn't have access to a Sonex airplane but still wants to get an idea what it's like to sit in and operate, the Miata automobile comes very close to providing that experience in 2 dimensional form. And, if one gets a kick out of driving the Miata, they will likely get a similar kick out of flying the Sonex.

Art,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Sonex taildragger #95,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Jabiru 3300 #261

Okay, so I had the chance to sit in a Onex. I just BARELY was able to close the canopy. The seat cushion was approximately 4" thick. I would definitely have to have a thinner, maybe 2" thick seat cushion, and wear a Clarity Aloft or similar low profile headset to fit adequately.

With that being said, any idea if I would be able to fit in a B model Sonex? Unfortunately there aren't any B-models in my neck of the woods (Santa Rosa/KSTS). If anyone has a B-model and wants to fly up here, lunch and a full tank of gas is on me.