B-Model Conversion Kits!

[mike20sm]

My main interest in the B model is the firewall forward support for the ULpower engine. Before news of the Bmodel I was going to copy what jcfremy did with a UL260iSA
http://sonexbuildersandpilotsfoundation.zenfolio.com/p698068276

I still might do that, but now I've got to consider going with the bigger engine in the B-model. What kind of prop is the 350is supposed to swing? any ground clearance issues?

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
Great to see sonex offering the conversion kits! Keeps us as customers, have a better airframe. Tshirts and hats to follow?! As for now it looks like rotax and UL motors will have the engine mount and cowlings. Would love to see a mount for small continentals. Like the people interested in a aerovee, to build and learn your engine. You could source used parts to build up an engine. Either certified or experimental version, 25 vs. 40 hrs for phase 1. Experimental version aftermarket roller tap pets, fuel injection, electronic ignition. Don't rule out old school legacy engines, time proven , safe, and reliable. Complete fwf support for aerovee, jab camit for now. Poll shows around 30 people interested in conversion kits.
As for people still building , sonex / waiex needs a little wt in the nose. Watch your c g. The baggage is rated at 40 lbs. As fuel burns off, the cg moves aft. Keep any aux tanks fwd for fuel. Anyone want to design some aftermarket fuel tanks like the RV series?
Kudos to sonex for the "B" models. What's next guys/gals?
WaiexN143NM
#143 flying
#183 under construction
P.S. Reminder for Mr. Paul Laurent fund if u wish to donate. Post on www.kathrynsreport.com

[markschaible]

Hello SonexBuilders.net!

Sonex is very pleased to announce that we are now taking orders for B-Model Conversion Kits thanks to the tremendous feedback received from builders at Sun 'n Fun, messages and poll responses in this forum thread, and private messages we've received!

Orders can be placed online at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/eshop/cart.php?target=category&category_id=417
or via our Order Form at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/documents/B-Model_Conversion_Order_Form.pdf

Pricing came-in under our original estimates with a full conversion cost of only $9,552 (base price)! For those of you with one or more legacy sub-kits yet to purchase in your project, conversion cost may be much lower -- full pricing details at the links above.

Please Read: Special B-Model Conversion Kit Considerations

• No exchanges of legacy Sonex or Waiex parts are available.

• Builders will have to get their projects to a defined "starting point" for conversion. That may mean either building-up to the point where changes begin to take place, or removing parts to get "back" to the starting point of conversion changes.

• Depending upon a project’s status and condition, builders may need to fabricate or purchase replacement legacy (A-Model) parts at additional expense that are not part of the conversion kit. This will be more likely if builders need to remove parts to return to the conversion’s defined "starting point."

• No "partial conversions" will be supported — Sonex Aircraft can only offer support for construction as defined in the plans that are provided for conversion.

• Wing conversion kits do not include new B-Model wing skins, as the conversion is most economically made by trimming existing wing skins. Builders may opt to purchase new B-Model wing skins at additional expense.

• Builders must retain their original legacy plans set with their projects and legacy aircraft serial numbers will not be valid for building additional projects. Legacy aircraft that have been converted will receive a version of their original serial number that includes a conversion designator.

As-always, please feel free to contact us with any remaining questions you might have!

--
Mark Schaible
General Manager
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
phone: 920-231-8297
fax: 920-426-8333
http://www.SonexAircraft.com
http://www.AeroConversions.com

Sales Info: sales@sonexaircraft.com
Orders: orders@sonexaircraft.com
Accounting: accounting@sonexaircraft.com
Tech Support: tech@sonexaircraft.com

Build a Sonex Aircraft in Your School!
Check out the Sonex Education Initiative: http://education.sonexaircraft.com/

[NWade]

Wow, quick work! Thanks, Mark - I know you all are running hard to get the "B" Models going and also to deal with the summer fly-in schedule, and have a lot on your plate.

Any idea if/when Sonex can post a bit more information about what stage each area of the airframe should be in, to begin the conversion process? Would be good to know this to help folks not build past that point, or give them a clue what to undo while waiting for shipping of the conversion kits. ;-)

Also, it would be great to have guidelines on what parts are critical vs. surplus from our original kits**. Or, alternatively, a list of parts included in the conversion kit (at least for the Fuselage). I think it helps folks understand the cost of the kit if they get a sense of what the conversion kit includes - especially in terms of the upgrades (like the new fuel tank, new canopy bows..). And it might save you folks a heap of Emails & questions like "Are new canopies & windscreens included? What about things like Seat Belts and rudder pedals? (Since many of us haven't seen a "B" in person and don't know whether dimensions/lengths of some of these items have changed)"

Thanks a bunch!

--Noel
Sonex #1339
noel.wade@gmail.com

**Partly so we can sell off unnecessary items and clear space in our workshops; but mostly so that we can check to see if we've screwed up an important part, or need to order a fresh one from the factory at the same time we order the conversion kit! :-)

[markschaible]

Thanks for your message Noel, and you bring-up some good questions.

We are working to get some documentation published to better define the "starting point" for conversion assemblies. The plan is to basically publish a drawing number as the stopping point, plus any detail areas on that drawing number that should NOT be completed. i.e. "Build up-to drawing SNX-WXX but do not complete Details A and B", etc.

Again, in general terms:
==========================

• Wing: Don’t install or rivet root ribs and wing skins.

• Fuselage: Don’t construct the tail cone forward of the #2 formers.

• If you only have a Tail Kit at this point, remember that B-Model Tail Kits are unchanged — you can just proceed with a regular B-Model order for the rest of your kit!

==========================

We are also in the audit process on the parts list of SNX and WIX parts that are no-longer used in B-Models. It's a big list!

To answer the specifics in your post, yes, B-Model conversion kits include new windshields, canopies & canopy bow/frame parts, fuel tanks and rudder pedals. Seat belts are not changed in the B-Models.

Regards,
-Mark
--
Mark Schaible
General Manager
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
phone: 920-231-8297
fax: 920-426-8333
http://www.SonexAircraft.com
http://www.AeroConversions.com

Sales Info: sales@sonexaircraft.com
Orders: orders@sonexaircraft.com
Accounting: accounting@sonexaircraft.com
Tech Support: tech@sonexaircraft.com

Build a Sonex Aircraft in Your School!
Check out the Sonex Education Initiative: http://education.sonexaircraft.com/

[markschaible]

Hello again SonexBuilders.net!

Regarding my message from yesterday, our engineering/R&D team has completed a B-Model Conversion Process Description technical document to help builders define conversion kit "start" points. The new reference can be downloaded at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/documents/plan_sheets/B-Model_Conversion_Description.pdf

We've also published a list of Legacy Kit Parts NOT Used in B-Model Conversions, which can be downloaded at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/documents/plan_sheets/Legacy_Parts_NOT_Used_in_B-Model_Conversion.pdf
Keep in-mind that this parts list is preliminary and subject to changes! Also remember that we cannot accept returns or exchanges on these parts.

I've also just completed upload of a number of new images to the B-Model Image Gallery, including images of our first Waiex-B prototype "The Spirit of Red One"! See the new images and download the above resources from the B-Model home page at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com

--
Mark Schaible
General Manager
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
phone: 920-231-8297
fax: 920-426-8333
http://www.SonexAircraft.com
http://www.AeroConversions.com

Sales Info: sales@sonexaircraft.com
Orders: orders@sonexaircraft.com
Accounting: accounting@sonexaircraft.com
Tech Support: tech@sonexaircraft.com

Build a Sonex Aircraft in Your School!
Check out the Sonex Education Initiative: http://education.sonexaircraft.com/

[dbdevkc]

I see in the conversion description documentation (B-Model_Conversion_Description.pdf):

——
For builders early in construction (have not completed wing box), SONEX and WAIEX:

• For the spars (page W08 for Sonex, W14 for Waiex)
• Do not complete details A, D, E
• For details A and E, leave out or drill out solid rivets shown highlighted in red below

• Do not complete Root Rib Installation (W17-01L/R), including locating and drilling for
root rib attach angles (attach angle install shown on SNX-W08 or WIX-W14).


For builders that have completed wings, SONEX and WAIEX:

• If Root Ribs are installed:
• Un-bolt root rib angle fittings from the main and rear spars. New root rib angle
fittings for the main spar are far enough from the old fittings that there is no
interference. The same holes are used to attach the new rear spar root rib
angle.
• The solid rivets that are highlighted red above will need to be drilled out, and
additional holes drilled for the new root rib angles. We recommend waiting to
complete this until after you have the plans and have trimmed your wing skins if
they are installed.
——

I have the spars completed to the point that the Root Rib Attach Angle has been attached with the bolts. For my curiosity (and so I can sleep at night), those enlarged holes in the spar caps and webs for those bolts do not weaken the spar at all now that another set will need to be drilled for the new placement of the root rip attach angle? And will bolts be left/installed in there after the angle is moved?

Thanks!

[mikebeavers]

I am purchasing a Sonex made in 2013 and was hoping to convert it to a Y tail. Anyone selling that kit?
Thanks
Mike