Kyneton to Rockhampton - Sonex 894 - 1900 NM round trip

[peter anson]

I recently did a 1900 nautical mile (nearly 2200 miles) round trip in my Sonex, from Kyneton in Victoria to Rockhampton in Queensland and return. Here's a link to my blog on the first half of the trip, including a few photos.
http://www.ansoneng.com/sample-page/sonex-trips/kyneton-to-rockhampton-part-1-930-nautical-miles/
This is the longest distance I have flown. My Jabiru engine performed flawlessly and the Sonex was comfortable enough so that I felt fine at the end of a day's flight. I spent about 7 hours in the air in one day on the return trip. I couldn't quite do the trip in one day - the winter days here are just a little short for that, although it would be possible.

Peter
Sonex 894
272 hours

[vigilant104]

Peter,
Thanks for writing that up, looks like a great adventure. Crocodiles, mud flats, lots of wilderness--that'll make you listen very closely to that engine. Glad you had a good trip.

[sonex892.]

Good effort Pete. As always, very classy limerick.
Steve
Sonex 892

[Corby202]

Good effort Peter, thanks for sharing

[andrewp]

Just got back from visiting family in Australia, down in Melbourne and up in Noosaville. Should have hitched a ride with you. Alas the closest I got to airplanes let alone a Sonex was the bar at Royal Vic at Moorabbin.

What a great journey ... loved your post.

[Msing48]

Interesting write-up and photos, Peter! I always wondered how you guys down under manage to fly upside down and keep from falling into outer space.

[peter anson]

Here's a link to part 2 of my trip.
http://www.ansoneng.com/sample-page/sonex-trips/kyneton-to-rockhampton-part-2-the-return-970-nautical-miles/
I really enjoyed the trip and didn't find a day of flying too taxing. I don't have any sort of autopilot so found I was busy the whole time trying to maintain an accurate course, keep a lookout and monitor the the engine. I was definitely not going to doze off.
I have often read opinions that the Sonex is not suitable for long trips, but one of the things you need for a trip is speed. I used to own a Skyfox, a factory-built Kitfox, which was a nice aircraft to fly but had a 2 1/2 hour safe range at 65 knots. In Australia, that often won't get you to the next town. Trips which took careful planning and a favourable wind in the Skyfox are almost inconsequential in the Sonex.

Peter

[Brett]

I love your epilogue in part two ;)

-Brett

[Corby202]

Another good write up Peter. You might have to make a trip to "Gulargambone" to see what limeric you can come up with.
Phil

[tonyr]

You might have to make a trip to "Gulargambone" to see what limeric you can come up with.
Phil

Dont encourage him.. :lol: