Taking off with Flaps

[fjdoug]

I will try and fly with a local Sonex owner as much as I can before my first flight.

I'm also flying with instructor for the moment to get me prepared for the day, he's taking me up in various other planes as well such as the Piper Sport and a Pitts s2b ( :-) ).

hi rizzz,

I went up to Camden and got some hours in a Citabria then test flew SNX, i had never flown in a Sonex before.

I imagine the Sonex is going to be tame compared to the Pitts and the Piper Sport.
I understand the Piper Sport is quite sensitive in pitch; i read a comment recently that a pilot managed to launch a fire extinguisher through the canopy.

I found i quickly became comfortable in the Sonex, however compared to the Citabria you will control the Sonex with smaller wrist movements.

[Gripdana]

I agree with fjdoug the citabria is very close to the sonex in the way it handles. I flew a citabria for my tailwheel endorsement just prior to the sonex.

[rizzz]

David,

That's sort of a tough one. By our regulations a CFI can certainly train a student for Primary training, but the LODA that the Sonex factory operates under prohibits training for a certificate or rating. In their infinite wisdom (sarcasm font needed) the FAA doesn't allow anything other than Transition Training under the LODA, so Joe or any other CFI is limited to only flying with people already certificated with at least a Sport Pilot or Private license.

Quite the pain but that's the way it's written. I'm sure Joe wants to help out but unless Keith is able to convert his license to a FAA license he's stuck.

That’s exactly how Joe explained it to me.
Thanks Mike.

I already converted my old JAA license to a CAA license when I moved from Belgium to Australia 8 years ago. That was a nightmare to do, so I'm not keen on having to do the same thing to get an FAA license as well just for a week or so of flying inthe U.S.

(PS. I’m Michael, Keith is the person who’s post I replied to)

[rizzz]

I went up to Camden and got some hours in a Citabria then test flew SNX, i had never flown in a Sonex before.

That's where I fly now :-), I'm assuming you flew with Curtis?
I fly their Citabrias all the time.

[rizzz]

I agree with fjdoug the citabria is very close to the sonex in the way it handles. I flew a citabria for my tailwheel endorsement just prior to the sonex.

That's good to hear.

[rizzz]

Thanks for the replies all,
I have gotten some offline replies from Aussie Sonex flyers as well, I think I’ll be ok to get ready for my big day.

And to get back on topic, no flaps and a 3 point take-off it is on my very first take-off then…

[fjdoug]

That's where I fly now :-), I'm assuming you flew with Curtis?
I fly their Citabrias all the time.

hi Michael, yes i did my endorsement with Curtis.
we did a lot of close/500' circuits with heaps of side slipping (which is pretty much how my first flight in SNX went)