SonexBuilders.net

Hi all,
Here's a new thread.
WaiexN143NM
Michael

4 seats with easily removed back seats
High wing
minimum 22 gallons of fuel
Large enough to lay down in with no rear seats
Manual flaps
Toe brakes

Hi all,
In thinking of someting new, was trying to think of something the competition doesnt have. How about calling it the moni2. And if not electic then gas powered by hks or the pegasus o-100 , pete plumbs half o-200 ? Use b&c lite wt starter, alt. use e mags for electronic ignition. Or rotax582. Tank in fuselage, allows quick removal wings. Use as many parts possible from existing sonex designs to keep cost down. If u want a 2 place , build a xenos! So lets keep it simple and keep it single place.!
Did u see the booth/tent at osh 16 behind van's and zenith? Greg cole windward performance. He's developing a 2 place side by side carbon fiber motor glider powered by a hks, will be fixed gear taildragger. Im sure$$$.
Ok john asked at the booth what i wanted.
Please give your ideas to this thread.
WaiexN143NM
Michael

Very interesting question. I'd be curious what the market inertia is right now.

Walking around AirVenture a few weeks ago, it seems like the RV-10's and -12's seem to be very popular. So people either want a 4 seater or an easy to build LSA cruiser it seems.

I can't help but wonder if people would be interested in taking a Sonex/Waiex B model fuselage and replacing the stock wings with longer, non-aerobatic wings. This would sacrifice the acro capability but possibly make for a more efficient, easier to fly (if that's even possible!) LSA. Sort of like when Vans took the RV-6 and created the RV-9.

Otherwise, given the economy right now, I'd say do whatever is necessary to keep the costs as low as possible on a new design! I did like the idea of stretching a Onex to make a tandem 2 seater, sort of like a mini RV-8. I could see that competing well against the Panther/Cougar designs.

A two-place Onex based motorglider with folding wings and prop and tandem seating. Able to store with a C172 in a T-hangar or box trailer.

MichaelFarley56 wrote:I can't help but wonder if people would be interested in taking a Sonex/Waiex B model fuselage and replacing the stock wings with longer, non-aerobatic wings. This would sacrifice the acro capability but possibly make for a more efficient, easier to fly (if that's even possible!) LSA. Sort of like when Vans took the RV-6 and created the RV-9.

Mike, I think that would be a hit. Keep a relatively stock Sonex fuselage, but use a longer wing. My choice would be to add 24" "stub" wings on each side of the fuselage and with a fold fitting right there (pull out the outer panel, twist LE up or down, swing back along the fuselage--like a Thorpe/Sunderland S-18 folds). The "stub" wing could hold an aux fuel tank and/or a baggage locker. To reduce production costs, outboard of the "stub" wing could be a fairly standard Sonex wing, use the same ribs and skins. Or, if a more efficient cruiser is desired, go with a new wing of longer span, narrower chord.
And, just to say it and fully conscious of all the major redesigning it would cause: the market wants more room in the cabin--specifically more width at the shoulders. I'm happy as it is and wouldn't want it wider (i.e. draggier, heavier), but I think I'm in the minority.

I can "see" our friends in the Hornet's Nest rolling their collective eyes at us about now....and I think I hear Jessica snickering...

Ihab - interesting design!

Sonex1517 wrote:and I think I hear Jessica snickering

Already got that covered -- she snickered at me at KOSH! From someone with her qualifications, given that I'm just a random schlub off the Interwebs, I consider snickering a compliment. :)

Ihab

My thoughts on this have been previous well documented:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3026&p=23109&hilit=4+place#p23109

Go 4 place 4 fun and 4 profit and 4 play.