Headroom

[clfoster53]

I am tall - 6'4". I know pilots as tall as 6'5" have fit in the Onex, but I am long in the torso. I've been trying to find out what the distance is from the seat pan to the canopy. Preferably it would be along the approximate path a pilot's back will go. I emailed Sonex a couple days ago but did not get a reply.

[lgsievila]

About 38 inches from seat pan without any cushion on my Onex built per plans.

[markschaible]

Hello clfoster53,

My apologies for a lack of response, but we never received your email. Perhaps it was spam filtered out? I think we spoke on the phone prior to your sending us an email? Measurement on our prototype is 39.25 inches, also without a seat cushion. If you get a chance to try a Onex on for size, that's really your best bet to ensure that you're satisfied with the head room. You can find Onex builders using our searchable Sonex Builder Database at: http://builder.sonexaircraft.com/cgi-bin/search.pl

If you have more questions, please feel free to contact me off-list at: sales@sonexaircraft.com

Regards,
-Mark
--
Mark Schaible
General Manager
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
phone: 920-231-8297
fax: 920-426-8333
http://www.SonexAircraft.com
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[clfoster53]

I visited the Sonex facilities a week ago to try on the Onex. First of all, if you are thinking of a Sonex aircraft it is worth the trip. Nice place and friendly people. Mark Schaible put me in the Onex, and alas, it isn't going to work for me. I'm 6'4" and all my height is in my torso. I probably had only 1/4" clearance with the canopy (the rudder pedals installed in their standard position were just right). Too bad, because although I was just planning on looking at it, I'm pretty sure I would have written a check on the spot it I had fit - what a great plane!

[MichaelFarley56]

It sounds like you'll have to just build a B model and sit in the middle! You should have plenty of room then. Sort of like a super sized Onex!

[N814W]

I checked out the Onex demo at KOSH in '15 and was satisfied with the headroom. Not thrilled, but satisfied; two to three fingers of space from the top of my head to the canopy. My plan is to get a set of Clarity Aloft headsets for use in the Onex.

I'm 6'5".

[pfhoeycfi]

I'm trying to make that decision, Waiex - Sonex vs Onex..I like each of them for different reasons but I am concerned with headroom. As a glider pilot I am very accustomed to wearing a chute, mine happens to be a Strong seat type. I also expect to wear a headset as well. I'm 6' 210#. I suspect the right way to go for me might be as suggested in an earlier post...build a Waiex and sit in the middle. Still struggling with the decision..love that Onex tho.

Built a Sonerai llL back in the day...

Peter H
Doylestown, pa

[gammaxy]

I imagine you could go without or design custom upholsteryto make the Onex work with your parachute. I doubt you're too tall.