Sonex Build Status and Completion Photos

[Bryan Cotton]

Looks great! I think the Cherokee thing is suffering envy.

[Sonex1517]

Way to go Tony! Won't be long now....


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[SonexN76ET]

I am having my DAR visit for the airworthiness certificate on Monday! Working on a few minor items my EAA Tech counselor found this past weekend. I will let you know how the DAR visit goes. I am really looking forward to my first flight. The five hour Sonex Transition training really has me prepared for the first flight. My goal is the have phase 1 flight testing completed so I can fly to the ASA fly in in October.

[Darick]

Very reflective cowling! How did you do it?

[MichaelFarley56]

The plane looks great Jake! Best of luck on the inspection!

I'd like to ask the same question as Darick; how did you get the "chrome" on the cowling? Monokote? It looks really cool!

[SonexN76ET]

On my cowling I have polished aluminum on the sides. To do so, I cut out most of the middle fiberglass on the sides, but left a large T shape for stiffness and to rivet on polished .025 aluminum. On the remaining fiberglass on the sides, I sanded off the gel coat to make a bed for the .025 aluminum to lay on. I then flush riveted the .025 aluminum to the cowling and filled in any gaps with fiberglass. I am happy with the results. The cowling is slightly heavier, however. Attached is a picture of the cowling before the fiberglass portion was painted.

[daleandee]

My goal is the have phase 1 flight testing completed so I can fly to the ASA fly in in October.

Jake,

Neat idea! Looks very nice and what a great way to make it personal! Looking forward to ASA this year and will be looking for your Sonex.

Dale
N319WF

[Bryan Cotton]

Jake,
Very cool.

[ScottM-Sonex1629]

Cool job Jake! I was thinking maybe you tried the "chrome paint" systems from Eastwood or similar...

[SonexN76ET]

I received my airworthiness certificate on Monday! Very glad to have that over with. Now, I am putting everything back together after the inspection plus torquing the heads, adjusting the valves, changing the oil, doing a once over on the controls, and checking all the systems one last time before the first flight.

The airworthiness inspection turned out to be a non event. I followed the EAA's inspection handbook written by Joe Norris. My EAA Technical Counselor, who is an A&P/IA, spent five hours inspecting my aircraft before the FAA DAR inspection. The DAR was very complimentary on the workmanship on the aircraft.

I am excited about the upcoming first flight, but also a little bit nervous. I am sure that everyone is a little bit, even professional test pilots. I am sure that I am ready and the aircraft is ready. Joe Norris did a great job preparing me for my first flight during the Sonex Transition Training as did Kip Laurie in his fantastic Waiex. I should have a first flight report for you soon.