SonexBuilders.net

Thoughts and experiences please.

Surfly

I modified my tail wheel bracket like Bob Mika did in his photo blog. Used a 5" Wick's tail wheel. Works great with better ground clearance, much quieter, and better ground handling.

http://www.sonexbuilders.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=125#p748

I used a 6" Van's Aircraft wheel in a bracket made by Kipp Laurie. Much better ground clearance and much quieter. IMHO there is just no reason to stick with the little 4" wheel. There is no up side to it.

I used the Kipp 6 inch mod with the Vans 6 wheel. Worked great.
Then found a breakaway tailwheel from flyboysaccessories.com that only came in a 4 inch version. So I installed it with my stock 4 inch wheel and found myself loving the breakaway tailwheel, but missing the 6 inch wheel. So I welded extensions to it to accommodate the vans wheel. Haven't re-installed it yet, but I'm sure I'll enjoy both worlds. Of course the breakaway tailwheel requires differential braking but its fun to spin the sonex around at the run up like a Cub.

I found a cheap 6" caster in surplus store, that looked like it could be modified for better bearings. When got it home found it already had a pair of sealed precision bearings. Made my own version of enlarged Sonex 4" bracket. Worked fine. Later revised bracket to drop the wheel down an other inch, and that was even better. Sonex then came out with their new 6' tail wheel bracket which looks like it would drop it even further. No ill effects seen from higher tail, just better forward visibility when on the ground. Since found that the wheel was a Colsun and got two more new ones for $15 each to keep as spares. 220 hours on original one and no need to replace it yet. Details in files section of old Sonex Builder's yahoo forum: Modifications to #1327.

David A.

I was the one that created the Flyboy Accessories tail wheel bracket/mount for them and tested it. I have been very pleased with the results and have had no problems with the tailwheel wearing down. Although I would prefer a larger wheel than 4 inches, this one works fine and I don't notice any noise issue. It sure is nice not to require a football field of room to turn around in anymore!
Wolfpack3

Thanks to all for your replies. Sonex gladly took back my 4" unwrapped tail wheel assembly for full cost credit towards the purchase of the 6" tail wheel assembly.

Building Onward!!
Surfly Onex 0176