Sonex/Waiex Landing Technique

[Andy Walker]

Hey all...

I have never landed a Sonex, and at some point I'll have to. :mrgreen:

I'd love to hear your landing procedures & techniques in the Sonex/Waiex. I'm building a tri-gear, but interested in conventional gear too. The last plane I landed was a Tecnam P-92, and the landing was basically short final with full flaps @ 60kt, when the runway is made reduce power to idle and glide into the flare. Is the Sonex similar or way different?

[rizzz]

So would I!

I'm in the same boat as you are Andy,
I've landed Cessna 152's and 172's, Piper Warriors and Citabria's, but one day I'll have to land my Sonex.
What do I need to watch out for on that first landing?

Cheers,
Michael
Sonex #145 from scratch (mostly)

[N111YX]

Guys, I have never been in a tri-gear Sonex but a tailwheel landing is nothing unusual comapred to all other small airplanes.

I'm on base at about 85 mph and enter ground effect at about 65 using two of three notches of flaps which is a bit fast but...

a) there is no "sinking" tenedency (it does not sink a lot but approaching at 65 or less mph would require power)
b) I usually have 5000 feet of runway
c) I like the extra speed in case the engine quits, I rarely need power from abeam touchdown to touchdown

Notes...
-stall is about 50 mph indicated thus 1.3 X Vs0 is 65 mph would be an acceptable approach speed.
-for touchdown, I just work the last few feet to a three point attitude then wait for contact.
-my short field techinque is to use 3 notches and flaps and approach no slower than 60 mph (power is required for a normal glidepath.)

Your mileage may vary... :D

[Andy Walker]

Guys, I have never been in a tri-gear Sonex but a tailwheel landing is nothing unusual comapred to all other small airplanes. Nothing unusual.

I'm on base at about 85 mph and enter ground effect at about 65 using two of three notches of flaps which is a bit fast but...

a) there is no "sinking" tenedency (it does not sink a lot but approaching at 65 or less mph would require power)
b) I usually have 5000 feet of runway
c) I like the extra speed in case the engine quits, I rarely need power from abeam touchdown to touchdown

Notes...
-stall is about 50 mph indicated thus 1.3 X Vs0 is 65 mph would be an acceptable approach speed.
-for touchdown, I just work the last few feet to a three point attitude then wait for contact.
-my short field techinque is to use 3 notches and flaps and approach no slower than 60 mph (power is required for a normal glidepath.)

Your mileage may vary... :D

Thanks Kip! What is your speed on final, about 75mph, slowing to 65mph in the flare?

[N111YX]

Andy, like most small aircraft landings, I stop looking at the airspeed indicator from 50 feet on. The airspeed reference is the pitch angle of the nose, flat is fast, high is slow.

If I had to guess, I'd be about 65 mph entering the flare.

I would not try to disect the arrival too much regarding speeds and such. Use some target speeds and go by feel the rest of the way.

We can shoot a few landings when you get close to flying...:)

[Andy Walker]

Andy, like most small aircraft landings, I stop looking at the airspeed indicator from 50 feet on. The airspeed reference is the pitch angle of the nose, flat is fast, high is slow.

If I had to guess, I'd be about 65 mph entering the flare.

I would not try to disect the arrival too much regarding speeds and such. Use some target speeds and go by feel the rest of the way.

We can shoot a few landings when you get close to flying...:)

Yeah, I agree with you on the "fly by feel" comments. Once you have the approach speed close to where it should be, no need to look again. Especially if you have a long runway, if you're a little fast you can just wait for it to settle.

Sounds good on the landings...once I get a tailwheel endorsement. ;)