Sonex Build Status and Completion Photos

[Sonex1517]

Finished the tail today. We are putting the fiberglass tips on later to avoid damagine them. About 6 1/2 months of steady work with lots of learning, mistakes, and rework along the way. On to the wings...


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Working on the tail
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MichaelFarley56]

That looks great Robbie! Congrats on your milestone :D

Have fun on the wings. Did you get the preassembled spars? If you did, you'll have your wings framed out in no time! (not that the spars are that bad...)

[Sonex1517]

I did go for the preassembled spars. When visiting a nearby Sonex builder he told us to get them and save the hassle. I will be the first to admit I am not the most graceful builder ever so anything to speed it up and ensure the spars are correct is money well spent in my eyes. Thanks for the reply!


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Working on the tail
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MichaelFarley56]

Understood Robbie. Did you also go for the angle kit? Looking back, both kits would have been really nice but if I had to choose I would have bought the angle kit.

Have fun framing the wings...I thought it was pretty cool when I cleco'd the ribs on the spars the first time. You'll be there in no time!

[Sonex1517]

Thanks Mike - and yup, angle kit too...was going through it all today and looking at the plans. This should be faster than originally estimated. Looks like the gussets are a bit time consuming but past that, I will be building in the garage in no time. Funny thing is my brother is building an RV, but travels for work a lot. He started a year before me and I just caught up. I have no intention of it becoming a race....but its cool to see his progress and compare.


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Working on the tail
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MichaelFarley56]

That's great Robbie. What kind of RV is your brother building? I foresee you'll be flying well before him. :lol: As I'm sure you've seen, he's going to need to deburr then dimple every rivet hole, and the solid rivets take more time (and help) to rivet than our stainless pop rivets.

That is assuming he didn't go for the quick build wings and fuselage. In that case you better get busy!! :mrgreen:

Keep the pictures coming!!

[Sonex1517]

He's building an RV-9, both kids are out of college.

I'm building a Sonex with an AeroVee. I have a 7 year old planet geek.

'nuff said. :)


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Working on the tail
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[vicdelgado9]

The fuselage is now on it's gear for the first time. The O'brien gear legs and brakes are very nice and make rigging the gear legs very easy. Coudn't be happier with the results.

Rhett, Did you make your Corvair motor mount, or buy it. If you bought it, where from?
Thanks
Vic

[sonex980]

The fuselage is now on it's gear for the first time. The O'brien gear legs and brakes are very nice and make rigging the gear legs very easy. Coudn't be happier with the results.

Rhett, Did you make your Corvair motor mount, or buy it. If you bought it, where from?
Thanks
Vic

Hi Vic,

I know I already answered your question in the message that I sent you, but I thought I would post it here too so everyone could see it.

The mount was purchased from another Sonex builder who had purchased it from Aeromax. The mount fit well and looks great.

[rizzz]

Fuselage joined, lower firewall installed.