Bryan from Poplar Grove, IL

[Bryan Cotton]

Hi all,

I have been reading and lurking for a bit. Currently a Waiex wannabe, hope to change status soon. I have a half done hummelbird I built from scratch. Just had a major life change as my old company closed our facility, so I had to move from the Finger Lakes region of NY to northern Illinois. I live in a fly-in community at C77, so that is good. The hummelbird does not meet my needs at the moment, as I have a 10 and an almost 12 year old boy. The older boy is really interested in flying and building, so the hummelbird goes to the back burner and I see Pop Rivets and quick build in my immediate future. Have never sat in a Sonex yet. Tomorrow I am going to sit on a dual control Sonex here on the field, and I have made contact with a guy who has a center stick. Otherwise, I plan on a taildragger, aerovee, polished, minimal cockpit Waiex.

[dcstrng]

Hi Bryan; I always admired the Hummel and have watched most of the available videos, Bill Spring’s several times; good on all around construction – but until recently I was just a tad too large for it.

I probably won’t actually sit in a Sonex until I’m ready for transition training, but I keep plugging along on mine – should be there any century now… Hopefully one of the far more experienced hands will chime in momentarily.

[EricS]

Hey Bryan!

Good luck with getting going on a Waiex project! Feel free to ask questions any time. Even though there are not that many Waiex types flying, there are a lot of good folks here that will help answer questions. I'm working on my fuselage now and have the stabilators and rudder complete.

Keep us posted!

[ldmill]

Hey Brian,
Hope to have you on board in a Waiex soon as well! There are two of us flying in central Iowa (Marshalltown) - Doug Boyd in N80YX, and me in N81YX. We both have the Jab3300 installed and both planes are polished with silver painted fiberglass. Love the plane!! Polishing - a pain, but looks great when "done" (you are never really done though). We are both getting pretty close to completing phase one flight testing - so far so good.
Cheers!
Lorin Miller
Waiex N81YX Jab330, Prince P-tip prop, Stratomaster Ultra Horizon, Matco hydraulic brakes

[Sonex1517]

Hi Bryan

There is a group of Sonex builders and enthusiasts in Chicagoland - I am not certain but I think there is one other Waiex builder locally.

We do an occasional brunch also if you are interested. Did you make it to Clow last Saturday?

Welcome to the clan!

Robbie
Sonex 1517
Naperville
Wings and tail done, working on the fuselage

[Bryan Cotton]

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies! I got to sit in Ken Irwin's rather nice Sonex today. Nice paint job but he kept the airplane simple and light, like I plan to. Robbie, I was there with my 11 year old Adam. We had to leave after lunch but were glad we drove down. No way was I going to fly down, my IFR currency and proficieny are both pretty expired.

Ken had dual sticks and I think I like them. Seems like it would simplify the throttle, put it in the middle like a C140 etc and be done with it. I would hope to teach my boys how to fly in the Waiex someday.

Here is a picture of Adam and I in the Sonex. Ken is a few hangars over from us.

Bryan

[Bryan Cotton]

Ordered my Waiex tonight!
Bryan
Waiex
Prebuilt spars and machined angles
Aerovee
Taildragger
Dual controls

[rizzz]

Congratulations!

[EricS]

Excellent! Another Waiex builder among the ranks!

Please feel free to reach out if you have questions!

[Bryan Cotton]

I know I am already introduced, but now that I am reunited with photobucket I found these old (some taken on film) pictures.

1990, new private pilot, about to take my dad as my first passenger:


Acro training:


Adam's first 140 ride. He was 5.


Adam's first glider ride. He was less than 60 lbs so he had to sit in back:


Matthew's first 140 ride. He was also 5 on his first time, I think.


A former project:


Another former and future project (I still have it):


Ok, you have probably suffered through enough.