SonexBuilders.net

Hello All

I haven't been much for posting on here before but I have been following things for awhile. Today,after only eight years of building, I got to fly the coolest little plane ever. Sonex 814 is standard gear, Jabiru 3300 powered, and polished (first stage anyway). All temp were in the green and seemed to get better later in the flight. I was up for .8 and would have stayed up longer but rain was fast approaching, unforecast I might add. First landing was pretty good with only a small bounce. All I can say is if your building, the trip is more than worth the effort. No one can describe the feeling. Keep at it. Only 39.2 more hours and I can take my biggest supporter for a well deserverd first flight. Keep flying

Jim.

Having attended this epic event, and knowing Jim for some time now, the words "CONGRATULATIONS" do not being to cover the basics. Jim is a great friend of mine and has been an invaluable resource and guide as I build Sonex 1517.

Having never been to a first flight before, I was honored to be asked and excited to see the flight! I got there and Jim and his lovely wife were finishing up last details. Jim was all business and obviously focused on task. I was there to capture the event and be a safety observer.

It didn't take long - ground support arrived in the form of a friend and fellow builder, and Jim climbed in to N1906R. The moment had arrived!

He fired up, taxied out onto the wide grass runway at Hinckley, and did a runup. Sounded awesome! The airport was empty, and the folks at the soaring club had stuck around to see the flight.

We positioned ourselves a bit down the runway in order to get a better view. Jim made his radio call, taxied out, lined up, and then his beautiful silver polished Sonex taildragger blasted down the runway and into the still evening air. At last! It flies!

He climbed up and away, banking off into a sweet left turn and headed up for pattern altitude. After watching Jim work so hard for this moment, it was hard to believe it was finally here. He flew for close to an hour and executed his planned manuevers as expected while we watched from below.

As the skies seemed to begin to darken a bit to the west, Jim descended back down into the pattern and came in for a nice landing and a perfect end to the first flight!

Jim just completed a beautiful airplane, and did so building a long way from home. I'll post some photos from last evening's first flight at the Hinckley airport in Hinckley, IL.

Blue skies and congratulations Jim! That was so inspiring to see!!!!

Robbie
Sonex 1517

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Jim lands to conclude his first flight!


Robbie
Sonex 1517

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Some more photos

...and a few more...

That is awesome Jim! Cant wait to shake your hand! Congrats, I cant imagine the rush of emotion you probably felt. Beautiful airplane!

Congrats Jim! Excellent photos Robbie!

Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations Jim!!! Beautiful!
Thanks, Robbie, for an excellent writeup and great photos.

Super! Congrats!!