SonexBuilders.net

I'm working my wife to convince/show her how many cool places can be visited having a Sonex!

Here are some of the questions I have received:

-Does it get hot in the cockpit? What about being cold in the winter, is there a heating system?
-I have read that the cockpit width is 40". I'm 6'3" 195lb. Do you think I can fit with a passenger (normal sized wife)?
-Even with the vibrations/engine noise can you still call anyone with a cell phone if needed?
-What's the max suggested wind to safely fly a Sonex?
-Do you step on the seat when going in?
-Do you feel vibrations in the feet (since they are so close to the firewall)? i.e. in a 2 hour commuting flight do you get your feet/legs numb?

Like someone said...there are no stupid questions!

Thanks Guys.
Tex

Welcome Tex.

I'm in the process of building my Sonex now, and was able to convince my wife by visiting the headquarters and Factory for Sonex at Oshkosh. They have a sample cockpit, and between being able to sit in the plane, and meet the Monnett's and Sonex family, seeing how it's put together and where it comes from sold her on the project.

I've been flying with my buddy Steve in his Waiex. He is smaller than me, and I am 6'-3" and about 225. We fit, it's a bit tight, but comfort was not really a problem. It can get hot in the full bubble canopy in the summer, but a fresh air vent system helps. It can also get cold in the winter. Yes you can do a cabin muff heater system...but it's an overkill. Dress warm,wear gloves and pick a sunny day in the winter and the sun will help warm up the cabin.

With a proper seat cushion you don't feel any vibrations. A good set of headsets and the noise is fine. If you can wire the phone into the intercom it would work. The noise is no worse than inside any other GA piston engine single aircraft.

Here's a picture of me in the cockpit mockup last night, and flying to Indianapolis for the AOPA flyin back in May (or it might have been from the winter?)

Tex,
Has your wife been up in a small airplane before? Nothing will do more to help her understand what it will be like. If you don't have your license, consider going to a small airport with a flight school and ask them if an instructor can take you guys up for a short ride in a plane. You could go up with her and the instructor (in a 4 seat airplane), or the instructor could take you up one at a time in a two seater. Be sure to go on a day that is not hot and not "bumpy" (winds, turbulence, or thermal activity). Mornings are usually best. And if you want the best chance for this to go well, be sure to put her in the front where she can see well (chances of feeling sick go up considerably in the back seat, and she will probably forever hate GA if she gets nauseous). Some answers:

Texfly wrote:-Does it get hot in the cockpit? What about being cold in the winter, is there a heating system?

If it is 100 deg outside, it will be at least 100 deg in the cockpit, there's no A/C. When the canopy is closed ans the sun is out, it heats up quickly inside. BUT, many of us have very effective ventilation systems that blast a LOT of outside air into the cockpit, that feels great and helps a lot. Remember that the dry adiabatic lapse rate is about 3.5 Deg F per thousand feet: If it is 100 F at your airport when you take off, it will be a comfortable 75 deg F outside your plane when you climb 7000 Ft (will probably take 12-15 minutes with both of you aboard). Heat: You can instal a heater if you want.

Texfly wrote:-I have read that the cockpit width is 40". I'm 6'3" 195lb. Do you think I can fit with a passenger (normal sized wife)?

You'll need to sit in a Sonex to see if it is comfortable for you. Find one with the now-standard lowered seat (due to your height, it might be an issue, it depends a lot on your sitting height). The Sonex is not a big plane.

Texfly wrote:-Even with the vibrations/engine noise can you still call anyone with a cell phone if needed?

Some headphones have a jack for use with a cell phone. I do not know if it is technically legal (according to the FCC) to use a cell phone in a moving airplane, but aside from that I believe it will work fine. You'll be up in the air for 3 hours max--most people can probably wait to hear from you guys until you land.

Texfly wrote:-What's the max suggested wind to safely fly a Sonex?

There is no maximum wind. I don't have my POH nearby, but I think that it says that a crosswind component above a certain amount for takeoff requires additional caution. Someone may chime in with the exact number. As a practical matter, a lot will depend on your proficiency and whether you have a trigear or taildragger.

Texfly wrote:-Do you step on the seat when going in?

Yes, you pretty much have to in order to get to the "far" seat. If you are sitting on the left side, it is possible to avoid stepping on the seat by lowering yourself in. I keep a towel in there to step on.

Texfly wrote:-Do you feel vibrations in the feet (since they are so close to the firewall)? i.e. in a 2 hour commuting flight do you get your feet/legs numb?

Mine don't, my wife never mentioned any issues.

Flying in a small plane is not like flying in an airliner, or riding in a car. Your wife will only know if she likes it if she gives it a try, hopefully a few times. You'll also need to do the math on how much you two can bring. A very light Sonex weighs 625 lbs empty, the max factory recommended weight for an 80 HP Sonex is 1100 lbs (it is true that many are approved for max weights above this). Now, 100 lbs for full fuel, 195 for your weight, whatever the missus weighs--how much does it all weigh?
Honestly, if the only purpose in having the airplane is to do this 2-hour each way commute a few times a month, then owning a Sonex or any other small plane is probably not a worthwhile pursuit. It's only an extra two hours to drive it, and will probably be about the same by the time you drive to the airport, get the plane out, etc. Plus, if you drive you don't need to worry about the weather, you can bring more stuff, you'll have a car to use in getting around at your destination, etc. With a Sonex, the trip itself is part of the adventure. If you or she aren't looking forward to getting in the airplane and hearing that little engine come to life, and watching the ground fall away on takeoff, then it is frankly better just to drive.

If there was any hope of ever getting my wife to travel by airplane, I would have bought a C172 rather than the Waiex. With the right wife it could work out, but the airplane is small enough that as a 2-place x-c machine I think it is not optimal. I bet my son and I do some great trips though!

Just returned from Oshkosh with my son. I'm 6'2" 190lbs, boy is 5'11'' 160lbs.
Here are the answers to your questions.


-Does it get hot in the cockpit? What about being cold in the winter, is there a heating system?
Yes it gets hot. taxiing in hot weather its REAL hot. Sunshades and vents help a lot. Once in the air, its fine. Heating? My plane has a wonderful cabin heater that actually works. Good to about 20F. On the way back from Osh it actually got pretty cold at 10,500ft as we were trying to maintain VFR on top. 52 degrees. Pulled the heater and we were very comfortable in shorts and t-shirt.

-I have read that the cockpit width is 40". I'm 6'3" 195lb. Do you think I can fit with a passenger (normal sized wife)?
What's a normal sized wife? Seriously, my personal limit for a human load is 360lbs.

-Even with the vibrations/engine noise can you still call anyone with a cell phone if needed?
No. Unless you have a bluetooth or wired into your headset, then yes. Its a noisy plane.

-What's the max suggested wind to safely fly a Sonex?
Its a personal limitation. Mine is 20knots down the runway or a 10knot crosswind component.

-Do you step on the seat when going in?
Yes. No way around it.

-Do you feel vibrations in the feet (since they are so close to the firewall)? i.e. in a 2 hour commuting flight do you get your feet/legs numb?
Yes. On our way back from OSH we found a wonderful place to store some of the soft goods we purchased. Under our feet to solve the issue.