SonexBuilders.net

What engines have flown successfully in a Sonex thus far?

1. AeroVee - yes
2. Turbo Aerovee - yes (Only tested at Sonex in Wisconsin so far)
3. Jabiru 3300 - yes
4. Jabiru 2200 - yes
5. Corvair - yes (*****Ronald Monsen N694CS)
6. Hummel 2400cc - yes (David Clay, Temple, TX)
7. Great Plains VW - yes, (**Tom Huebbe, Illinois)
8. Rotax 912 - yes, (*Norway, Kai Lyche, LN-YYS), ***(Luigi Murgia)
9. Viking - yes, (****Casey Lyon (N808SX)

10. UL Power - yes (^John Davis N555SX)(Currently using a Jabiru 3300 as of 2013)

11. Mazda Single Rotor Rotary - ?
12. European Engines - D motor?
13. Revmaster 2300 ?

*Turbo Rotax 912 in Norway, Kai Lyche(LN-YYS)(See his many youtube vids)
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BtcOQuO6qA4
"I have added about 5kg with EFI and TURBO. Not much. The performance is unbekivable. climb from 700ft\m to
2400ft\m, cruise speed from 115kts(132mph) to 140-145kts(161-166mph), wot ias 2500ft amsl 165kts(189mph)."

**Tom Huebbe, Illinois, (Great Plains Engine)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TyEJ6lnsGcQ

***Luigi Murgia (Rotax 912)
(prop)TRIPALA BAY-BLADE 100 hp DIAM 1660 mm(65 inch) ELETTRO-IDRAULICA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9PkcHDbBaU&feature=player_detailpage

****Casey Lyon (Viking)
http://www.vikingaircraftengines.com/St ... 0Pirep.pdf

*****Ronald Monsen (Corvair)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XMWU3dd9NDM
http://monsens.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Rons-New-Toy-N694CS-Sonex/16734629_TGg3Dn#!i=1437272317&k=vdfLFTs

^John Davis (UL Power)
https://plus.google.com/photos/104825542669454751314/albums/5767379075035302225?authkey=CIH6h4WE5fv5MA&banner=pwa
From Oshkosh 365 Archive..."There is another Sonex builder, John Davis (president of the American sonex association) that put one of these engines in his Sonex (he sold his Jab 3300 FWF package). IIRC, the first reports were that it sounded smooth. The last I heard, however, was that he had to make a forced landing after an engine out, resulting in substantial damage to his airplane. The NTSB released a probable cause report stating that the ECU malfunctioned as a result of improper installation."
NTSB Report:http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20090210X91742&key=1


Feel free to add to the list if you know of actual non-factory flying versions in the Sonex.

Also Flown:
- Jabiru 2200. Available as a fully-supported engine from Sonex
- Viking (it has flown. I'm not sure how successful. JE is trying to sell it on Barnstormers right now)
- Hummel (Scott Cassler-built ) 2400CC VW-based engine reportedly flies quite well (Dave Clay's Sonex is powered wth one, perhaps others are also flying it).
- Aerovee 2.1 with Turbo (the Hornets Nest test aircraft): We still wait to learn more about how this is going

***********************************
Not yet heard from:
- D-Motor
- Ultralight Power
- BMW R-1200-based conversion

Both Revmasters and Great Plains VW engines have been flown in a Sonex.

D-Motor shows lots of promise and UL Power is going to take the Jabiru market soon.

I know several people have grafted Rotax's on the airframe, but I don't think more than a few.

Yes there is a chap in Norway who did a Rotax 912 then turboed it.
And another 912 in South or Central America.

Casey Lyons has successfully flown a Viking powered sonex

I believe John Davis put a UL engine on a sonex but I don't know how successful it was.


Keith

Hi every body. I have been flying my trigear Sonex plane with a Rotax 912 100 HP engine for my first 200 hours. I am very pleased with the installation. The plane flies really nice. No problems with the engine, just the normal mainteinance.
I fly the plane with a non performant propeller. I am sure I would get better numbers when I change the propeller in the future (Money, money!!!). Another field of improvement is drag. But I am so lazy. I have to drive 3 hours to get to the plane, so when I arrive I just try to fly.

I fly from a paved runway located at 1600 feet, 24 Celsius degrees all the year.
My numbers:

Take off distance 450 - 500 feet
Climbing rate full fuel two persons 1200 - 1500 feet/minute
Cruise speed 130 - 135 mph
Top alttitude 16000 feet (The plane could go higher)

Yo can see some videos on you tube (German Cardenas Alvarez/Sonex 1204).

If some body has questions or need more info, please just ask.
Happy new year fellows.
Germán.

There are quite a few custom VW conversions flying as well I believe, mine will be one as well.
Most are type 1 VW's but I know of at least one type 4 although it's not flying anymore.

Hi good evening everybody!
Did anyone fly a sonex with two stroke engine, such as simonini or others?
Thank you
Sonex
Spartaco

:)