Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

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Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby Sonex1517 » Tue Mar 19, 2019 7:18 pm

I am very happy to report that after 9+ months of work, this past Sunday I started my Jabiru 3300 Gen 4 for the first time. This was an engine conversion project, which included swapping the engine mount and adding ADS-B out. Let’s just say there were times it wasn’t fun.

I look forward to flying it very soon.
Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Aero Estates (T25)
First flight 10/10/2015
375+ hours
Jabiru 3300 Gen 4
Prince P Tip
Taildragger
N1517S
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Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby Bryan Cotton » Tue Mar 19, 2019 7:44 pm

Very cool Robbie! Look forward to seeing it at C77 sometime!
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
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Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby MichaelFarley56 » Tue Mar 19, 2019 9:04 pm

Can't wait to hear about your first flight report Robbie!! Great work!
Mike Farley
Waiex #0056 - N569KM (sold)
Onex #245
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Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby Sonex1517 » Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:26 pm

Thanks,

Bryan, I have a 5 hour phase one that includes C77. Count on a visit.
Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Aero Estates (T25)
First flight 10/10/2015
375+ hours
Jabiru 3300 Gen 4
Prince P Tip
Taildragger
N1517S
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Posts: 1670
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:11 am
Location: T25 Aero Estates, Frankston, TX

Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby wlarson861 » Wed Mar 20, 2019 12:29 am

Congrats! I know first hand what you went through, it is very satisfying when your done. You are not going to believe the performance increase, even compared to the turbo. On the first take off think lots of right rudder. I was not prepared for how fast it jumps off the ground and wants to go left. You should have a ball with the set up!
Bill Larson
N861SX
Sonex, polished, tail wheel, Generation 4 Jabiru 3300
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Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby keithrhode » Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:34 am

Did the same conversion 7 years ago. Always add throttle slowly on take off, left turn tendency’s are easily controlled. Allow the elevator to go to neutral as power is added so tail will rise on its own. Once on main gear allow speed to build and it will fly off with a little up elevator.
Keith Rhode
Sonex s/n 1009
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Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby DCASonex » Wed Mar 20, 2019 10:14 am

Nice, just in time for Spring and a summer of flying. I concur with all the other comments on flying a 3300. Please keep us advised on how that gen 4 engine works out.

David A. Sonex TD, CAMit 3300.
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Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby vigilant104 » Thu Mar 21, 2019 1:04 pm

Congratulations, Robbie. You've traveled a long, frustrating road, but you kept rowing. Best wishes for smooth sailing from here on out.

Mark
Mark Waldron
Sonex 1230 (Builder: Jay Gibbs)
Aerovee, Trigear
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Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby Sonex1517 » Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:41 pm

Today I flew Sonex 1517 with the new Generation 4 Jabiru 3300. All I can say is holy crap. It’s a freaking rocket.

And no, Bill, even anticipating it I did not put in enough right rudder.
Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Aero Estates (T25)
First flight 10/10/2015
375+ hours
Jabiru 3300 Gen 4
Prince P Tip
Taildragger
N1517S
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Posts: 1670
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:11 am
Location: T25 Aero Estates, Frankston, TX

Re: Sonex 1517 engine upgrade

Postby Bryan Cotton » Sat Mar 23, 2019 6:37 pm

Awesome Robbie!
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
User avatar
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Posts: 5495
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:54 pm
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