Do I want to build a Waiex?

[MichaelFarley56]

Hello Andy,

You're getting tons of great feedback and information here, and after building and now flying my AeroVee powered Waiex, I agree with everyone's reports. The Sonex/Waiex line is an easy airplane to build, especially now that all new kits come with "matched-hole" construction as standard. Having built my Waiex before that concept was introduced, I can say that today's builders have a much easier time than I did! Not that I'm complaining; I still had fun!

In my experience, flying a Waiex with the AeroVee is a whole lot of fun, especailly if most of your flying is solo. I'm a big guy (6'3", 235 lbs) and with myself and full fuel (close to 1000 lbs T.O. weight) my Waiex will climb around 700-800 feet per minute, and easy hit the Sonex factory cruise speeds. I've also flown in several Waiexes with the Jab 3300 and their performance is obvioulsy much better, but as you mentioned, it comes at a higher cost.

In fact, the cost of the engine is one huge reason why I love my AeroVee. Due to my own fault (running low oil pressure), I overhauled my engine this past summer and the total tab was less than $1,000 for everything. It also took a week to pull the engine, completely rebuild it, and have the airplane flying again. So yes, you're not going to be blazing across the sky at jet speeds, but for the money, the AeroVee is an excellent option. There's another gentleman on the forums here that keeps his AeroVee powered Sonex at Denver, and just last spring flew it to the Florida Keys, Sun'N'Fun airshow, then back home again. So these airplanes are certainly cross country capable.

I can't help but agree with everyone else though...these are NOT IFR airplanes. At all! I've been a CFII for a long time and have flown in the clouds in a lot of different airplanes, so please believe me. These are not IFR platforms.

Like everyone else has mentioned, there are tradeoffs on the Sonex. If you're going to do a ton of cross country flying with two people, the Sonex can be a little snug. Unless you're really tiny, plan on doing acro solo. They do handle bumps pretty darn well but given the light weights of the airplanes, you will feel the strong bumps. As for the RV-8 discussion, a friend of mine built a pristine RV-8 close to where I live, and they are beautiful airplanes. Fast, good cross country machines but his build total was right at $100,000 for a nice but not completely decked out airplane. He's also burning around 10-12 gallons per hour. Oh yeah, he also took around 2200 hours to build his airplane vs. my 1200 hours of build time, plus my AeroVee powered Waiex cost me $30,000 total, and I burn half the fuel. To each his own!!

Good luck on what ever you decide!

[Sonex1517]

There was one accident of a Waiex that had a structural seperation of the tail. The exact cause of that breakup isn't clear

Actually the NTSB found that the Waiex was designed with improper engineering for y/v tail aircraft. Sonex immediately issued a fix before there was any preliminary cause.

From the NTSB report (mentions nothing in the report of poor build quality)

"It is likely that the pilot, distracted by the loss of engine power, allowed the airplane to enter an unusual attitude, and the tail separated during the pilot’s attempted recovery from the unusual attitude."

"The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The in-flight failure of the aircraft’s Y-tail attachment structure during maneuvering flight due to overload. Contributing to the accident was, the kit manufacturer’s use of 14 CFR Part 23, Appendix A design guidelines intended for a conventional tail airplane without a V- (or Y-) tail."

One other thing I have heard multiple Waiex pilots complain about is that while in the air they handle similar to the Sonex, on the ground they are rather limited in crosswinds because lack of rudder authority. I have heard Waiex pilots say anything over 7mph starts getting a little wild. I know some have told me they have to line up on one edge of the runway because they will be pushed over to the other side before yaw becomes effective. Some have gone in the grass off the side of the runway because of this.

As for acro, I am still not convinced the Y-tail is up to par with a conventional tail. I have time in both and while they do behave similarly they are not the same. I have done some minor acro in a Waiex but don't see it as a competitor in sportsman class acro where the Sonex can be. One other thing on the acro, with the aerocarb/aeroinjector, it does not regulate flow. So in a routine your mixture will be all over the place, way lean over the top of a loop, to way rich coming out of the bottom. A buddy of mine who flys advanced/unlimited comp put a Sonex through the sportsman routine and said the airframe is fine, but the carb was nowhere near what he considered acceptable since he had the motor stall out twice during low g maneuvers due to fuel starvation form the lack of flow regulation.

Just a couple of thoughts for you to consider.

I think it is now appropriate to ask if you have a name.

I find it interesting that many of your posts are....strong....yet you fail to use a name. A real name. Maybe you have noticed most, if not all, users here do so. Given the nature of your posts, I would think it fair to ask you to post your name on them.

Perhaps you could share that with us?

Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517


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[BK9977]

My name is Bryan, same as it has been posted on other posts. You can PM me if you wish because I am not going to hijack a thread because people can't stand to hear truthful criticism of Sonex.

[Sonex1517]

Thanks Bryan

And welcome Andy!

Robbie


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[fastj22]

The Waiex is an awesome plane. It flies extremely well, an easy build, is the most fun you can have with your clothes on, and even with the Jab 3300, is economical compared to any RV.
And if you are the social type, the Waiex will get you more attention at every fuel pump and fly-in than any RV.
BTW, I do love the RV-8. If I had $100K and unlimited fuel budget, it would be my plane of choice.

My next plane will probably be the Panther which is really just a blend of Sonex/RV.

[Sonerai13]

Dale,

Of course the factory's line is "they fly EXACTLY the same" which is an impossibility because the design is not the same.

You're right of course, in as much as there must be measurable differences (if you have the right equipment). But from a practical standpoint, most pilots can get out of one and into the other and they really won't be able to feel a noticeable difference in how the Waiex handles as compared to the Sonex. They really are that close! I wouldn't have believed it either, except I've spent a bunch of time sitting in both, and I really feel this is an honest statement.

Nice to meet you at Crossville by the way. Hope to see you there again next year. (Weather permitting of course!!)

Cheers!