Sonex and Sonerai cruise speeds.

[jonathan6229]

Ok, long time lurker both here and on the old Sonerai board, as I've long been lusting after either airframe. My question is simply, do the Sonex family and a Sonerai 2LS cruise at about the same airspeed? I get alot of TAS at 7000 feet numbers, without fuel burn or much other data. So, I'm struggling to compare the two, or perhaps they are different enough that they should not be compared? Anyone flown both? (and maybe I'm on the wrong msg board, and just need to find the right B-model project) But if anyone has any experience on them, I'd appreciate hearing it.
Thanks

[mike.smith]

I cruise at 100 kts, burning 4.5 gph. Sonex tail dragger with AeroVee engine. I can go faster, but at a much higher fuel burn.

[GraemeSmith]

Ditto Mike's number.

If I am prepared to put up with 90 Knots TAS I can get down to 3.5 GPH leaned out at about 5,000ft DA

[bakerde36]

I have owned both but the Sonerai 2 was a few years ago. My Sonex is not the fastest, I cruise about 110mph but I burn less than 4gph.
If I remember correctly my Sonerai Cruised about 125 with a Great Plains 2180. I think the Sonerai has a little faster roll rate and I really loved flying it but after about 40 minutes I had to get out of the plane it just wasn't comfortable for long flights. I wished I still had the Sonerai but I think the Sonex is a better bird and love my Sonex. I have only flown it 2 1/2 hours non stop but I wasn't uncomfortable execpt for my bladder. Good luck and make the plunge you won't regret it. Densil

[Sonerai13]

My Sonerai II was set up for speed (and climb suffered accordingly) but I could get 140 mph in cruise burning 4 gph, powered by an 1835cc VW conversion. Great airplane to fly, tons of fun but not as practical as a Sonex.

[pappas]

I have the Waiex B model with Aerovee Turbo. I set it up to run at 30 inches map, 3000 rpm, and lean it to an indicated 1350 +/- EGT temps. At those settings with my Ed Sterba 54 x 52-inch, cruise prop I religiously get a TAS between 135 and 139 mph burning 5.4 to 5.8 gph. If I run up to 35 inches of map and 3200 rpm, I can get about 144 mph TAS but I am burning 8.5 gph.

[gammaxy]

In my Sonex A model with the normally-aspirated Aerovee, I reliably get ~135mph at ~5+gph. I'm currently using the Sensenich 54x44, but have also used the Prince 54x46. I believe I get a little faster with the Sensenich.

Densil, with the 2400cc engine, I'd expect you to be a bit faster, but maybe we all define "cruise" differently :-) I usually cruise at wide-open-throttle.

[ldmill]

After 310 hours on the hobbs, my Waiex with a Jab3300 consistently cruises at 146mph with a fuel burn of 4.9gph. This with wheel pants and gear fairings on at average altitude of 3500msl using a Prince P-tip prop. My GPSs readings would generally agree with this as well.
Lorin

[WesRagle]

Hi Jonathan,

Probably a silly question but ... Have you sat in the airplanes you are considering. I have this airplane sitting in the shop:



I sat in it and the "office" is much tighter than my Onex and much much tighter than the Sonex cockpit. I believe the fun of flying comes from control feel rather than speed. The Sonex will be a bit slower than the Sonerai, but if you want to feel like you are going faster just fly lower :-) I do have to add, the Sonerai makes me smile every time I look at it.

Best of Luck,

Wes

[pfhoeycfi]

I had a Sonerai IIL with the 1835 and speeds like Joe N. I did not put electrical system in it. It never needed more than 3 pulls to start it. I also pulled the front seat out. Loved it. I think I have another year to go to finish the Sonex B.