Just dreamin a new model sonex

[andrewp]

Muhahaha!

Also, what the guy said about the electric.

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi all,
Andrew you were helping w the sonex w electric motor, i think i met you at a forum w jeremy and pete. Electric power forget about it? Well just an idea, maybe not there yet w batteries.
What about a onex w a single retractable monowheel, longer wings and a camit 2200 and a prop that feathers or folds forward? Maybe a stretched fuselage for two seat tandem?
Everybody dont be afraid to post your ideas. It may give team sonex some good ideas to develop something. Have fun.
Regards,
WaiexN143NM
Michael

[SP1]

Have you checked out the Oct 2016 edition of AOPA pilot? They posted a dream plane article with many of the features you guys mentioned.

What would be the name of the creations? fournex? Hooked on FourNex works for me! :D

PS Ihab was mentioned in Rod Machado's monthly article for his LOC invention. Congrats to you!

[TenSeven]

A two-place Onex based motorglider with folding wings and prop and tandem seating. Able to store with a C172 in a T-hangar or box trailer.

Along the same lines...

A two place, tandem, folding wing Onex, call it the Twoex ;)

[robbwerks]

New member here.

Just felt like reviving this thread. I've been looking hard at a B model Waiex project while I pursue my PPL. However, I have a small family of 3 and really need a 4 seater. I would love to see a 2+2 Sonex/Waiex(2 adults+2 kids/1 adult) using the same Sonex design philosophy. Obviously, this increases weight and size, requiring a bigger engine, higher fuel burn, etc. If I could build a real 2+2 with light IFR capability, flying for under $70k, I would be on that waiting list yesterday. I was looking at the RV-10, but $150k avg and a long build time is a pretty hard sell for me, and my wife.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Ian Robb
Hillsboro, Oregon

[Bryan Cotton]

Ian,
Welcome to the forums. A four seater would be perfect for me except for one thing- my wife hates flying. That is why I am building a Waiex. I would recommend getting your private first and then see where you want to go. Renting is not a bad way to go though people have bought an airplane to learn to fly in. If your two seater was a temporary stop on your way to a four seater, I would buy considering your need to sell. A Cessna 150/152 or even a 140 would make more sense. If a Sonex was your end goal, then buying one to learn to fly in seems good. Just make sure you can find an instructor to teach you in it.

[kmacht]

Take a look at the bearhawk for a less expensive 4 place than the rv-10. When I have time for another build that is what I am considering

For.my wish list I wish they would come out with more engine alternatives than the aerovee and jabiru. The aerovee is too underpowered for a true dual person cross country. It's a blast for solo flying but was very marginal for summer flying with two normal size people. It's reliability has been questionable over the past few years as well Turbo is an option but it doesnt address the reliability concerns and i dont want to be a flying test bed for it. Maybe in another 5 years i would consider it. The jabiru has its own set of problems with camit right now. A few alternate engines in the 100 hp range would be ideal. Corvairs would be a possibility as well as a Honda fit engine conversion. Not sure what is out there in the certified world that could be made to work.

Keith
#554

[fastj22]

With medical reform, there may be some movement on the LSA kit manufacturers to expand their lines to models that won't fit in the LSA box. Bigger engines, higher gross. I could see the Sonex stretched a bit like RV did with the RV7 to the RV14. Doubt we'll see a 4 place though.

[robbwerks]

Yeah, I do understand that a true 4 seat plane may never happen, though, they will never build what we don't ask for. While the B models are great and are probably what I will build, some people may need a "Sonex XL" with a higher gross weight and some real baggage space. Could really start to compete with Vans at that point.

[peter anson]

There are probably several aircraft that meet the requirement of reasonably priced 4 place aircraft, but one that comes to mind is the Jabiru 430. From what I have heard they have pleasant flight characteristics, plenty of space, MTOW 700Kg (1543 pounds), cruises at 120 knots and the kit, which is a fairly quick build and includes basic instruments, propeller and 3300 engine sells in Australia for A$87,600 including 10% GST - that's about US$63,100 on current exchange rates. All you Jabiru haters are not going to like this, but Jabiru also have a far better safety record than anything else around, including the Sonex that I fly. If you don't want to fly behind a 3300, you can buy the kit without engine for A$66,700 (US$48,050) and fork out the extra money for a Rotax. See http://jabiru.net.au/kits/j430-kit
One Jabiru 230 builder (the 230 is just the 430 without the back seats) I spoke to told me the empty weight of his aircraft was 330 Kg (727 pounds) indicating a very useful payload.

Peter