SonexBuilders.net

Can the Sonex be flown as a LSA without a medical? I've searched around and I'm are pretty sure the answer is yes.

Yes, in every factory supported configuration. The only way it might slip outside LSA parameters (max speed, stall speed) is if you install a high power non-factory approved engine or set the gross weight above the factory 1150 lbs. Or do something like install a constant speed prop or retractable gear.

Just like John said, the Sonex, Waiex, Xenos and Onex all meet the LSA regulations as designed. This allows a pilot to fly the airplane with a valid US Drivers license as a substitution for a FAA medical as long as you've never had a medical denied or revoked.

For the record I have a current medical. And thank you for the responses.

http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_ ... ngine.html
How would one go about buying this partially built kit, finish it and register it themselves being the builder? I'm not suggesting doing something outside the scope of the expiremental building rules. I know once a plane is built you can't legally take it apart and rebuild it and register as though you built it. I think the link shows a plane somewhere around the 75% stage, I'm guessing it wouldn't be possible to get the repairmen certificate since the new owner didnt build 51% of the kit. Just trying to decide if I want to buy a project or a kit. We could discuss the good and bad of the other particulars of a project versus a kit for days. Not being able to do my own annuals would absolutely make me see red.

I was a weapons loader on the F15, im familiar with working on aircraft. My career field is not one the Faa recognizes as one that they will wave the hands on requirement to obtain an A+P.

Lastly if I'm breaking some kind of forum etiquette please enlighten me.

You can be the builder of record if you can convince the FAA it is 51 % amateur built at the time of certification. Not you, just amateurs. Logs help. Now to get your repairmans certificate to do your own annuals, you will need to convince the FAA that you built it.
So yes, you can buy that 80 % partial kit and finish it and have it certified E/AB. But you will not qualify for the repairmans cert. we just did that exact thing with my hangar mate.

pchuckie wrote:How would one go about buying this partially built kit, finish it and register it themselves being the builder?

If you buy the project, and if the previous builder has documentation for the work he did, you can finish the build and register the plane as an experimental. There can be more than one "builder"....in fact there isn't a limit as to the number of builders as long as they do it for "education and recreation". In other words you can't pay someone to build it for you.

In order to get the repairman's certificate, you are supposed to be the "primary" builder. http://www.flightsimaviation.com/data/F ... 5-104.html

There isn't a definition for what constitutes "primary". I've read that if you are the person who signs off in the logbook that the plane is airworthy and ready for inspection, that can make you the primary. You do have to convince the FAA that you are capable of performing as the repairman. There was a group of guys in Oregon who bought 13 kits and worked together as a committee to build them. At the end they drew lots to see which airplane they got. No one person did the majority of work on any one airplane but they still were the primary builder for the plane they got.

Another thing to consider when buying a preowned kit, is to make sure you get the original bill of sale from the seller. In our case the kit was an estate sale and we had to go back to Sonex to get a replacement copy. This is for registration and not certification.

I thought that with a A&P you could do a condition inspection on experimentals. Less stringent than the certified world where you need your IA to do an annual. I had a lot of co-workers who got their A&P after military service working on aircraft. It is a good thing to do.

fastj22 wrote:Yes, in every factory supported configuration. The only way it might slip outside LSA parameters (max speed, stall speed) is if you install a high power non-factory approved engine or set the gross weight above the factory 1150 lbs. Or do something like install a constant speed prop or retractable gear.

I'm interested in the half aileron half flap wing. Pretty sure that would remain in the LSA stall range with all other things being standard (aerovee2.1) right?