SonexBuilders.net

Hello from the Desert,
This is AL Roberts in "cool" Las Vegas, EAA Chapter 163.
I would like some feedback, as I am working with Mervin of Manitoba, to buy his accident damaged Sonex. My concern is, are all the components except the tail feathers, transferable to the Waiex fuselage that I have now nearly completed. I'd appreciate any and all advice, through the Fourm or email [robieal2011@att.net] Thanks.
Oh, and by the way, Las Vegas is not cool. It's been over the 100 degree mark or in the high 90's every day since the first part of June. So hot in my workshop [garage] that my working hours have really been curtailed. My big fan only helps a little.

Thanks again AL

Al,

I have Waiex 121 and I'm wondering here out loud. What is it in the crashed airplane that you find of particular value?
Wings perhaps? If it is the wings your interested in, I believe you would find them transferable. I'm not passing judgement on what happens with the spar issue on serial numbered kits. One set of spars per plan unless extenuating circumstances prevail. And I can't define what that might be.
The short answer is there should be no difference on the wings. When it comes to fuselage components, I don't see much value to a guy that's already completed his fuselage. None of the pushrods are shared. Panel may be usable or instuments salvaged. Bits and pieces of hardware can be usable. Rudder cables will be all different.
If it was me, I wouldn't take the time to part out a broken airplane and I'd just keep building. The wings take far less time than the building of the fuselage with all its associated rigging matters, both firewall forward and wing rigging you would still have to go through with used wings.
If you were buying this project with an eye towards engine, panel components, etc. it might be worth your while. For airframe parts, I wouldn't pay much for a parted out airplane.

Larry

Hi Al,

I agree with what Larry has already said. With an airplane that's been damaged in both the wing and fuselage areas, I would be very cautious with rebuilding or reusing any of the airframe components, especially if you plan on using parts of the airframe. It's tough or impossible to tell how much damage really occured during the incident, and when I read about rear spar compression damage I'd be very cautious on using those wings again without a major tear down and rebuilt.

In this case since you say your Waiex is nearly complete, I sort of assume you're asking more about the rest of the airplane. There shouldn't really be much of an issue if you're thinking of using interior cushions, avionics, engine parts (although you'll certainly need to overhaul or rebuild the Jabiru before using it) and the like if that's what you mean.

Personally, this is just my opinion but given how quick and easy these kits go together, personally I'd take off the non-airframe components that you can salvage and either install them on your Waiex project or simply build a new airframe using the "good" parts.

And good question on converting a Sonex to a Waiex. People have asked that question before and while anything is possible, it's not recommended. There are enough design changes to the tail and rear fuselage assembly to make things very challenging, and the last thing you'll want is to have holes in your tail and longerons that don't need to be there. Just my two cents anyway...

My thanks to Micheal and Larry for responding to my questioning about salvaging parts from a crash damaged Sonex. I'm sure I would have had more questions in regards to the parts that Might be worthy of reuse, but now that would be a moot point due to what has transpired in my household these past few days. I now find it necessary to get serious about selling the Waiex fuselage that I have nearly finished.
I have certainly enjoyed working on it these past months, but sometimes bad things just come at you with absolutly no warning and a guy is forced to liquidate assets at any cost.
So I am offering to dispose of my Waiex fuselage now to the best offer. It is quality built as I am not an amature builder, having had an A&E certificate since 1963.
If interested, please contact me at my email address, robieal2011@att.net

Thanks. AL Roberts