looking at purchasing a 90% complete sonex - but no Logs!!!

[bearcat]

I've found what looks to be a good deal on a mostly built sonex. It's about 90% complete - but there are no logs or plans...

It's got an aerovee, looks like its all there for $9,000

I can get the registration transferred through sonex, so that isn't a problem. But its been sold a few times and the plans and build logs are long gone.

I really want to go for it, but I don't want to be stuck with something I can't register either. So should I go for it? Would I need to tear it down and start to put it back together with my own logs? It's gonna need a couple repairs anyways so I'd be rebuilding a few parts already.

Anybody been down this road before?

Thanks
Chad

[radfordc]

There is only one person who can answer your question...the DAR who will sign it off. Find a DAR and talk to him about what you can do to get the Experimental-Amateur Built certification.

If it turns out that you can't get that, then you should look into the Experimental-Exhibition certification.

[bearcat]

yeah the plan is to try to get a hold of that person and see what they say about it.

[Sonerai13]

Current FAA guidance requires that the builder have documentation to support his or her claim that the major portion of the aircraft was constructed by amateur builders solely for their own education and recreation. The FAA does not require this documentation to be in any particular form or format, but the documentation is required to be there. Any DAR or FAA inspector who will issue an amateur-built airworthiness certificate without seeing such documentation is not following FAA guidance.

Experimental-Exhibition certification is not a guaranteed thing either. According to current FAA guidance, you must have a legitimate reason for "exhibiting" the aircraft's features, capabilities, and/or performance in order to convince the FAA that an exhibition certificate is warranted. The FAA is getting strict on making sure the applicant's aircraft fits the purpose of the certificate issued.

Keep all this in mind as you make your decision. The price is certainly right as far as the material cost goes, but I suspect that price is what it is because of the lack of supporting documentation.

Forewarned is forearmed.

[bearcat]

At this point I'm looking at it as parts. I'd plan to tear it down and rebuild myself and keep my own logs. I'd want to change the landing gear configuration anyway, and it's got a few sections that need repaired as well.

[radfordc]

According to current FAA guidance, you must have a legitimate reason for "exhibiting" the aircraft's features, capabilities, and/or performance in order to convince the FAA that an exhibition certificate is warranted.

What defines a "legitimate reason"? Would exhibiting a somewhat unique aircraft at air shows and fly in's be legitimate?

[Sonerai13]

What defines a "legitimate reason"? Would exhibiting a somewhat unique aircraft at air shows and fly in's be legitimate?

That's one of those things that is not specifically defined, and is totally up to the inspecting FSDO or MIDO to determine. So the answer is, "it depends". I have talked to several FAA inspectors and have gotten varied responses. I'll turn the question back to you as an example of what I'm talking about: What is the definition of "somewhat unique"?

All of the experimental certifications are being more closely scrutinized than ever before, so some things that have been done in the past are not happening anymore. It pays to be informed and to do you homework.

[Sonerai13]

At this point I'm looking at it as parts. I'd plan to tear it down and rebuild myself and keep my own logs. I'd want to change the landing gear configuration anyway, and it's got a few sections that need repaired as well.

Looking at it from that standpoint, I'd say it's probably a pretty good buy.

[fastj22]

At this point I'm looking at it as parts. I'd plan to tear it down and rebuild myself and keep my own logs. I'd want to change the landing gear configuration anyway, and it's got a few sections that need repaired as well.

Looking at it from that standpoint, I'd say it's probably a pretty good buy.

You'll probably need to purchase a set of plans from Sonex. I'm sure Sonex would have no problem with that.

[bearcat]

Already talked to Sonex about the plans, no problems there. And spoke to a previous owner for a bit last night as well, got some good info on it but he had sent all his logs and photos to the guy who lost them. It's an old scratch build, may have some things that need updated while I'm at it too.