A Few of My Favorite Things

[mike.smith]

My portable engine hoist plans just got uploaded to the Sonex Foundation web site:
http://www.sonexfoundation.com/uploads/ ... _Hoist.pdf

Another one of my favorite things. No wheels, so it's stable and simple. After suspending the engine you move the airplane, instead. It fit in my Subaru sedan with the rear seat folded down. I really needed it when I had a prop strike on an island (Nantucket)!!

[Onex107]

Mike,
I use a foam seal tape that is about 1/2 square, sticky on one side, and stick it to the bulkhead face so the canopy closes on the side of it. Lasts a long time and is easily replaced.

You haven't by any chance come up with a working, durable seal for the rear canopy edge against the turtledeck? So far all ideas I have tried, tend to disintegrate or rub off after a while. Right now I am working on an idea that incorporates say ø1/2" tube bent to follow the turtledeck edge, with some kind of rubber seal attached to it.

Hi,
No, but I've never tried. In 4 years the only time I wished I'd had something there was when I got caught in some rain during landing coming back from OSH. But then again, there was water coming in from way more places around the windscreen and bottom edge of the canopy, so even then I'd have gotten wet. I fly in the New England winters and air/cold has never been an issue at the turtle deck. The air mostly slides by without ever coming through the gap. So for the VFR flying I do, having a rear seal was never necessary.

[Kai]

Thanks!

This actually works? Often the simplest solutions are the best. I'll give it a try.

Kai
Sonex 0525

[peter anson]

I have made several changes to my Sonex that I am very happy with but it would sound a bit like an advertisement for me to list them so the following is one I wish I had thought of. This is Jim Owens' recently completed Viking powered Sonex. If you look carefully you will see that Jim has made the windshield and canopy just a couple of inches higher than standard by cutting a wider windshield and setting the hoop a little higher.

It's not much, and barely noticeable, but I reckon that slightly steeper angle of the windshield may be just enough to reduce distortion looking forward. Just wish I had thought of that.
Damn!
Peter

[planeolbob]

Hi Everyone,
I don’t contribute much any more to the site, but will add my 2 cents today as we are going through another cycle of cyber madness.

I have been in the Sonex group for more than 19 years (see photo below for my first parts) and have seen many a post. So here are my Stupid and Favorite things.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbob/2048635625

Also, before I list the good and bad I would like to state that the joy of flying my airplane is the reason I and many of you got here in the first place. Remember this always. https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ ... ed-public/

Stupid:

1. I became “Build Happy”. What I mean by this is I was having so much fun building the aircraft I kept adding stuff I didn’t need to meet the mission that this aircraft was designed for. This made for a heavy empty weight. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... 998890631/
2. I misaligned the skin on my left wing so that I needed to replace the top skin. The wing was warped 5/8”. Believe me I did not sleep that night. Here is what I did after talking to Sonex. https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbo ... 0661866595
3. Adding a wing leveler. I spent all that money and time and found out that I never used the equipment. Luckily, I was able to sell it for gas money. https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbo ... 3455593275
4. Going with circuit breaker switches. My chapter advisor was a big fan of these and talked me into it. This caused me to make a sub panel and dropped down my air vents. Along with added weight, space and expense, this caused less leg room for taller pilots. They do work great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22138162@ ... 3588470927
5. Not installing the pressure plugs in my AeroVee. This caused zero oil pressure for the first 3 minutes of run time and made me overhaul the engine at 125 hours. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ ... 6334452014
6. Heating System. Not only was this a lot of work but it weighed a lot. It did work but I found wearing cheap ski bibs a whole lot better. I took it out. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ ... 6334452014
7. Flush rivets on the cowl. This is a lot of work and I still am not happy with the results. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ ... 3598665670

Favorite:
1. Bob’s Shading System or as I call it “The BS System”. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 6337388654 https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ ... ed-public/
2. Figuring out ways to solve build problems. Here is a method to remove the paint from the inside of the gear socket. I have many more on my sites if you want to look. https://www.flickr.com/photos/20695499@N07/2143275388
3. Fuel Shut Off System. This is very import control in that you can shut off the fuel while you are strapped in. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22138162@ ... 6206932201
4. Paint Scheme. Since I knew this would be my only airplane I had to go with a WWII scheme. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/ The polishing was time consuming but was well worth it. Remember boys and girls, these are Experimental Aircraft. There is no right or wrong way to do cosmetic items. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22345371@ ... 3591557271
5. Cowling doors. I am happy with my fuel and oil filling features. They work great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ ... 3598665670
6. Air – Oil interceptor. This home made system works great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 6212277081
7. Panic Bar. This little item is very nice for passengers. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 5980213964
8. Canopy hold open fixtures. A lot of us have these. Mine can be locked. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 6212293545
9. Check List holder. I have all my check lists in a flip style holder. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... 998890631/
10. Side Panel upholstery additions. These will keep items from falling under the seat. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... 5980213964
11. Head Set Hanger. This is just a “J” hook made from ¼” tube that holds both head sets above the baggage compartment. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ ... ed-public/
12. Tow Bar. This zero cost tool works great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... ed-public/
13. Larger Tail wheel. I went with a 5” unit. Much better on Turf. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... 998890631/
14. Larger 5x5 tires. Same reason, turf.
15. “Gun Sight” Fuel Vent. I have had two versions. Both worked great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ ... 998890631/
16. Meeting Sonex builders. All of you have been a great help to me as I built and have flown my aircraft. I have a debt to the group I try to repay. https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ ... ed-public/
17. And speaking of meeting people, one cannot forget the annual fun at Oshkosh. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... 4353104624
18. I also can’t forget Carlos and his wonderful RC model down at Sun n Fun. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/
19. All the good times at “Jeff’s on Rugby”. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/
20. Having my airplane show up on a satellite photo. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ ... ed-public/
21. Tail Wheel Modification. https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ ... 4239615855
22. Video Camera Mount. https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ ... 4239615855
23. Charging System. https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ ... 7424242601
24. Ordnance. https://www.flickr.com/photos/64768042@ ... 9694471038

[mike.smith]

Stupid:
4. Going with circuit breaker switches. My chapter advisor was a big fan of these and talked me into it. This caused me to make a sub panel and dropped down my air vents. Along with added weight, space and expense, this caused less leg room for taller pilots. They do work great.

Great list! Thanks for sharing!

As for #4 under "stupid," I really like mine, but I got them all in the upper panel so no dropped panel.
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 9579&row=3
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 809&row=23

[DCASonex]

To Planeolbob,

Thanks for the organised listing, See a couple of things I may want to borrow after getting new house ready and moving this summer, an activity not conducive to working on plane or flying, but new place will be closer to airport. Your strip for the breakers does not look like it would be much of a problem, have same on mine, but those vents look like real knee bashers. Looks like you might have room to put them into the main sloping panel, and might consider converting to the original Sonex side lever trim which would eliminate the remaining knee basher. I find the very quick to set side lever much more convenient than the knob adjustment.

David A.

[thomasjones42]

I'm finishing up my Onex project and yesterday got the previously fitted canopy out of the box where it has been resting for a couple years. Before I mount it again, I recall seeing some dialogue in the past about canopy stiffeners and/or braces but am unable to bring up any pictures in Search. Does anyone have any pictures or info on those kinds of things they are willing to share?

Tom Jones
Onex #0133
Aerovee Turbo

[sonex1374]

Tom,

This is one type of brace to stiffen the rear bow. It might give you some ideas for your own.

Jeff

[thomasjones42]

Thanks Jeff