SonexBuilders.net

Now that more people are flying behind turbocharged AeroVee's, I am hoping to start a thread on actual performance numbers for comparison sake. In order to obtain accurate data, I'm hoping that owners will offer as much data as possible.

Hopefully this information can be used by everyone to determine if their engine is producing normal power levels, and as a result their airplane is developing normal performance.

If possible, let's use the following blanks to fill in so everyone has the same information. If you've taken multiple readings, please report different altitudes, power settings, etc.

Aircraft Information

Airplane:
Type and Size of Propeller:
Aircraft Testing Weight:

Climb Performance

Density Altitude:
Air Temperature:
Power Setting:
RPM:
Indicated Airspeed:
Climb Rate:

Cruise Speed

Altitude:
Air Temperature:
Power Setting:
RPM:
Indicated Airspeed:
True Airspeed:

I just crossed 50 hours on mine

Aircraft Information

Airplane: Sonex 1517 - taildragger
Type and Size of Propeller: Prince P Tip 54 x 50
Empty weight - 685 lbs
Cruise test flown with full fuel and 1 person on board - adds about 276 lbs so lets call it 961 lbs

I have to do more climb tests to report numbers.

I can say that yesterday afternoon I did three trips around the pattern into a headwind of about 9 gusting to 16 mph and saw climb rates of 800 fpm at 100 mph cruise climb. Any slower and my CHTs rise dramatically.

Cruise Speed

Altitude: 2500 MSL
Air Temperature: 71 Deg F
Power Setting: 30.5" MP
RPM: 3190
Indicated Airspeed: 135 mph
True Airspeed: 143 mph

This is burning typically 6.6 GPH - I have kept fairly accurate logs of my fuel burn and that is a consistent number.

This morning is a good example - 54 minutes of actual flight time, I filled it back to where it was and it took 6.09 gallons. This was a flight at 2500 MSL, 71 Deg F OAT at that altitude, and the fuel burn included start up, taxi, takeoff to a cruise climb to 2500 MSL at about 100 MPH, then descent, landing, taxi in and turbo cool down. According to ForeFlight the entire flight was 1 hour 26 minutes. (I had an extraordinary long taxi back in due to traffic)

Edited to add weight

Airplane: Waiex taildragger, full fuel (1000 lbs)
Type and Size of Propeller: Prince P-Tip, 54 X 50"

Climb Performance

Density Altitude: 1000' DA.
Air Temperature: 65 F
Power Setting: 40" Manifold Pressure
RPM: 3120
Indicated Airspeed: 90 mph
Climb Rate: 850-900 fpm

Cruise Speed

Altitude: 2500' MSL
Air Temperature: 70 F
Power Setting: 30.5"
RPM: 3100
Indicated Airspeed: 135 mph
True Airspeed: 140 mph

Altitude: 2500' MSL
Air Temperature: 20 F (very cold day)
Power Setting: 30.5"
RPM: 3080
Indicated Airspeed: 144 mph
True Airspeed: 150 mph

Altitude: 3000' MSL
Air Temperature: 82 F (hot, humid day)
Power Setting: 29.5"
RPM: 3015
Indicated Airspeed: 125 mph
True Airspeed: 130 mph

Hey Michael,,,another good number to add to the list would be the aircraft empty weight. I'm sure this would affect performance a fair bit. Maybe bven take off weight for the particular flight.

I plan to fly mine today so can post some numbers later with the cruise prop.

-Brett

Great idea! That has been added. -Mike

Took some pictures of Carl's modified cowl.

I can see why oil temps are never an issue for Carl! Did he fly the airplane before that air scoop or has it always been like that?

MichaelFarley56 wrote:I can see why oil temps are never an issue for Carl! Did he fly the airplane before that air scoop or has it always been like that?

He added that before the change to the turbo. So no flight without it.

Please don't take these figures as concrete as they are only from what I remember glancing at today on the panel.

Sonex 1645
Sensenich cruise prop 56x52
306.5kg + full fuel +80kg pilot

CLIMB from sea level

Density altitude= Unknown
Temperature= 26 Celsius
rpm = 3050
indicated airspeed= 95 kts
climb rate= 950fpm average 850 to over 1000
climb map= 38"

CRUISE speed

2500 @ 27-28" map =115 kts true @ 2850 rpm
3500 @ 29-30 map = 125 kts true @ 2950 rpm
4500 @ 35" map = 141 kts true @ didn't look

Flew for 1.5 hours and used 29 litres, this did include however 3 glide approaches from 1500ft and some circuits.

-Brett

p.s --- Oh and Thanks Peter Anson,,,,, flew today thanks to you posting the tube for me in the mail,,, the 2 x new tubes I've ordered still haven't arrived in the mail yet... was a sweet flight and not a bump in the sky. :)

Sonex 0864
Sensenich cruise prop 56x52
703lb, 12.5 gal fuel, 0 aux fuel, 185 pilot, 115 pax, 50lb baggage

Cruise Speed

Altitude: 7500' MSL (9,600 density Alt)
Air Temperature: 68 F
Power Setting: 30.4"
RPM: 3123
Indicated Airspeed: 123 mph
True Airspeed: 142 mph

Altitude: 7500' MSL (9,600 density Alt)
Air Temperature: 68 F
Power Setting: 35.5"
RPM: 3309
Indicated Airspeed: 132 mph
True Airspeed: 153 mph

Note: I was able to get really close to Factory Claimed numbers today! I think I may be onto something here...If I start at 7,500 and descend to 3,500 at a decent rate of 1,800 ft/min, I can achieve 175 TAS on only 7 gph, especially if I'm inverted. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Note to note: all is true but inverted. hahahaha.

Aircraft Information

Airplane: Legacy Sonex
Type and Size of Propeller: Sensenich Wood Cruise
Aircraft Testing Weight: 980lbs

Density Altitude: 3400
Air Temperature: 28C
Power Setting: 35"
RPM: 3500
Indicated Airspeed: 161mph
True Airspeed: 169mph