Tall Pilot considering a Sonex.

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Re: Tall Pilot considering a Sonex.

Postby Rynoth » Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:04 pm

JT1974 wrote: I was almost ready to pull the trigger on a Onex, but then I got to watching YouTube videos of Jeff Schultz and Aaron Knight flying around with their kids in a Sonex and I decided that I want to make some memories like that with my kids as well. So, the Onex will have to wait for another day.


I was pretty much the same way when I went to a builder workshop in 2013 to make a decision. I was sure I was going to go with the Onex. But once I sat in the Sonex mock-up and saw all that space next to me, I realized how much fun sharing the plane would be. The Onex fit me wonderfully also, though, tons of legroom.

Thanks for the correction Joe, that's interesting, I don't recall being cramped for head-space in the ST with a normal seat. My lowered seat should work wonderfully then.
Ryan Roth
N197RR - Waiex #197 (Turbo Aerovee Taildragger)
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Re: Tall Pilot considering a Sonex.

Postby Bruce593SX » Mon Feb 02, 2015 11:16 pm

Fastcapy wrote:I have a dual stick lowered seat Sonex with factory seat cushion. At 6' my head has plenty of room without a headset on. However, when wearing a headset I have to slightly tilt my head towards the midline or my headset band hits the canopy about the 45deg angle between my ear and top center of my head. I have gotten used to it and automatically tilt my head, but I find my passengers who are over about 5'10" bang the headset into the canopy a lot. I have noticed this in the other Sonex/Waiex I have flown in as well. So I would recommend you take your headset with and check while hearing it as well.


This is easily addressed by using one of the in the ear type headsets, the halo by quiet technologies is my choice, but the is also clarity aloft, and the lite speed Mach 1.
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Re: Tall Pilot considering a Sonex.

Postby Fastcapy » Tue Feb 03, 2015 10:57 am

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Last edited by Fastcapy on Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Beck
Oshkosh, WI (KOSH)
Sonex #1145 N920MB
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Re: Tall Pilot considering a Sonex.

Postby JT1974 » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:18 am

I stopped by the Sonex Factory yesterday and sat in their cockpit mockup with the lowered seat mod. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the cockpit was bigger than I thought it was going to be. The seat geometry felt very good and When I closed the canopy I had about 1 to 2 inches of clearance between the canopy and the edge of my fat head. I think this would be a bit too tight for a regular headset, but no problem with an earplug type of headsets.

Here is a picture of me sitting straight up trying to "look normal". Hopefully this will give other tall potential Sonex builders an idea of what a 6'3" tall 260 lb. guy looks like sitting in a Sonex with the lowered seat mod.

Well, I guess my next step is to attend an upcoming Sonex Builders Workshop to get some hands on experience with the building process.
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Re: Tall Pilot considering a Sonex.

Postby MichaelFarley56 » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:38 pm

Also, don't forget that you could also change your seat height by adjusting the thickness of the seat cushions. If you sit on thin cushions you could probably get another 1-2" of headroom.

Glad to hear you fit well!
Mike Farley
Waiex #0056 - N569KM (sold)
Onex #245
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