Rofomoto wrote:Exactly how I’m doing it. Started two years ago, just the punch list to go. Go for it!!
WesRagle wrote:HI ?????,
Given your intro, I think you have picked the perfect project. Something I've often thought, but now I think I'll "say it out loud": The original Sonex plans are the result of a work of passion. John M. and Pete B., two very capable individuals, with complementary skills and a shared love of sports aviation, achieved something with the Sonex design (and plans) that I don't think we are likely to see again. They designed a truly versatile and capable aircraft that could be plans built.
Going back to the beginning, back to when the design was unveiled in Sports Aviation, I get the impression that John and Pete had no idea how wide the appeal of their creation would be. Since you have been around home built aircraft a while you've probably read comments from "fans" of a particular design bragging about the quality of the plans. Well, they wouldn't be bragging if they had seen the Sonex plans.
Once you understand how the plans are organized it's a snap to find answers to any question you might have. You might have question regarding fabrication, but that's about it. The plans are 100+ pages of very detailed prints. I found the best way to study the plans was to start at the last page and work backwards to page #1. When you get to page #1 you have a completed airplane.
I built from a kit before the machined angle components were available so I did get some experience "whittling" aluminum. I started the build by making all of the angle parts. No machinist skills here, just drill cut and polish. There used to be a spread sheet available that listed every angle part and the material is was made from. I don't know if it is still available. If so, it would be a help getting started.
Best of Luck,
Wes
Bryan Cotton wrote:Welcome to the forums! You can definitely scratch build if you are a true nut job. I'm a reformed scratch builder who temporarily shifted to a kit for the sake of building with my then 11, now 18 year old.
Side note: the best compliment I ever got was on another project, from another scratch builder. He called me a real nut. He was right!
Rofomoto wrote:Lol “ a true nut job?”
Rofomoto wrote:Bryan Cotton wrote:Welcome to the forums! You can definitely scratch build if you are a true nut job. I'm a reformed scratch builder who temporarily shifted to a kit for the sake of building with my then 11, now 18 year old.
Side note: the best compliment I ever got was on another project, from another scratch builder. He called me a real nut. He was right!
Lol “ a true nut job?” More like a real homebuilder. No offense kit builders. Pick your poison just do it.
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