SonexBuilders.net

Newbie member here, so hoping this is posted in the right section...

Looking for any advice, positive or negative, on a couple ideas:

1 - creating a small group (3 or 4 people) shared ownership arrangement for a Sonex in Wisconsin. My reasoning is this aircraft will not be my primary flyer, and I probably won't fly it more than 25-50 hours/year. I'm an IFR GA pilot who spends a fair amount of time "slogging through the clouds" in a Cirrus... really looking to the Sonex to provide some fun local flying, and am really impressed by some of the acrobatic videos I've seen. Looking for an excuse to buy my 1st parachute ;))

2 - have never been a builder, and don't think I'd have the patience, so for at least for this 1st Sonex experience, looking to buy something already flying. I see a few, maybe 5 or 6, on Barnstormers and elsewhere. Looking for advice on how / who to have do a pre-inspection on a Sonex. Or, is there a builders class I should take that might teach me what to look for? FYI, I do have an engineering degree, so understand technical issues, just not really a hands-on builder type.

All advice appreciated, even if you think this is a crazy idea, glad to gather opinions. Thanks!

I'm sure that you are aware of all of the advantages and disadvantages of partnerships but I'll bet your biggest hurdle will be aircraft location. It seems to me that finding three or four other guys with the same interest of aircraft rarely live close to each other. But, it sounds like a great plan for cheap flying.

As for pre-buys with regards to homebuilts, because they are all from different manufacturers, it's easy to see ones that have a level of workmanship that you are comfortable with. It's rare to have one part of the aircraft built poorly while the rest is top notch. Take a look at what's available and after you see four or five on person you will have become aware of different levels of quality and what you personally want. With the exception of one Sonex (a Waiex that has crashed and the investigation is still pending), I'd say it's fairly difficult to build an unsafe Sonex...

Thanks for the quick reply Kip.

You are correct, I have owned aircraft myself, and also in Partnerships, so am aware of potential benefits and risks. Have never been in a partnership on an experimental though, so am hoping someone with experience may be aware of any special "gotcha's". One thing I've heard is that experimentals are built "lighter", so may be less durable to ham-handed partners that aren't careful or have insufficient skills. With the G ratings on the Sonex it seems pretty tough, but that doesn't mean someone won't put a foot down where they shouldn't etc.

Thanks for the advice on build quality being obvious, and that inside quality will be visible by looking outside, that's reassuring. I was very concerned about what may be hidden. You never know what you don't know.

Thanks!

Don

Don, every homebuilt has mistakes in them and since they rarely affect airworthiness usually the buyer is OK. As long as everthing is straight (the first thing I would look for just by eyeballing everything) you'll be off to a good start. I am always noting the difference in aileron deflection between left and right during cruise in small airplanes that I fly in. Many Cessnas and the like are way off...! :)