NC Sonex / Waiex Owners

[Direct C51]

I'm looking to buy my first airplane in the near future and have gotten very interested in the Sonex. My first interest was an RV-4 but it is simply too expensive for me right now. I started looking at Luscombes, Cessna 120/140, etc. They are a little slow, 65 years old, and not experimental. I really think the Aerovee Sonex is perfect for my mission and budget. I will be buying, not building, as I am simply too busy with work right now. A used Sonex is in my budget, the fuel burn is great, the Aerovee is nice and cheap, and the speed is good. It's also aerobatic which is a definite plus.

My concern is the Aerovee being underpowered. I'm 5'10 175 and my wife 5'8 140. I think we will fit, but the weekend trip with any baggage will be at gross. Will the Aerovee be enough? I know what the Sonex website numbers say, but am very skeptical. Does anyone know where I can find real world numbers for takeoff distance, climb, cruise speed, and fuel burn? Our standard mission is 100-300 mile fly-in or overnight trip.

Unfortunately I've never seen a Sonex or Waiex in person. The Sonex Builder Database only shows 1 owner within a reasonable drive or flight that has their info listed and that email address appears to be invalid. Does anyone own a Sonex within a reasonable distance of Sanford, NC - KTTA, or know of someone who does? I'd love to have someone show off their Sonex to me, especially someone with an Aerovee.

[MichaelFarley56]

First and foremost, welcome to the forum boards! We're glad you're here and hope that you can find some good information here.

First off, with regards to the Sonex, it sounds like a nice Sonex may fit your needs extremely well overall. With you and your wife weighing a combined 315 lbs, and you add 90 lbs for fuel and 40 lbs for baggage (which is normally the max allowed), that gets you up in the 450(ish) pound range. The good news is you'll find a lot of AeroVee powered Sonexes and Waiexes that have empty weights in the 650 pound range which will bring you right up to, but not over, the recommended gross weight of 1100 lbs.

At that weight, each airplane is slightly different but it seems like a well rigged and good running AeroVee powered Sonex will use at or under 1000-1200' of runway for takeoff, climb around 400 feet per minute, and cruise 125 mph (+/-5 mph) at around 5 gallons per hour. As a result, unless you're battling a strong headwind, you shouldn't have any issues making up to a 250 mile trip without stopping. Trust me, after 2 hours you're ready for a stretch anyway!

On solo flights, the takeoff roll and drop and climb rate increase accordingly, and cruise will be a little better as well. On my airplane on a cold day, I routinely see 800 feet per minute climb when it's near freezing.

Given where you're based, AeroVee performance will be up to you but I think you'll be fine overall. If you're routinely going over mountains and want to climb each trip to 7500'-9500' then there will be days when you will wish for a little extra power, but if you're going to spend a lot of time cruising around between 3000'-6000' you'll be just fine!

I wish I lived a little closer to you to show you my Waiex, but central Ohio is quite the trip! Hopefully someone a little closer will be available. Otherwise, you can always find a lot of people at Oshkosh here in a few weeks or Crossville, TN in early October that will be happy to show you their airplanes!

Best of luck and if you have any other questions please let us know!

Mike
614-595-3521

[Direct C51]

Thanks for the info Mike. After talking to a few aviation buddies I was a little worried about the performance with the Aerovee. Unfortunately none of them own a Sonex and it was all hearsay. The numbers you posted were reasonable. My main concern is a summer day at gross, at let's say 3000 DA or so. As long as it will get off the ground in 2000-2500ft and climb at least 250 fpm I'd be ok with it. I'd really like to compare performance to a Cessna 120/140 which is the closest power/weight airplane I have flown and my second choice well behind a Sonex.

What have people been seeing for TBO on the Aerovee? I know there's no official TBO and Sonex says 500-1200 or whatever. How long are most people going before they tear it down and have a look?

I was able to contact a gentleman nearby with an Aerovee Waiex so I am confident I will have a lot of my questions answered once we can schedule a meetup.

[Bryan Cotton]

The 120/140 is a great little airplane. Are you a member of the association? If you are registered in the forums I have a restoration/project thread for N72362.
http://www.cessna120-140.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6515

There is a Sonex at my airport built and flown by Ken Irwin. He told me with the aerovee you have to be patient in climb at gross. I said, "is it like a C140 with the C85?" His reply was "you don't have to be THAT patient."

I have not flown a Sonex yet though!

[Direct C51]

Bryan,

Thats a nice 120 and fun looking project you have going. I am not a member of the 120/140 association. I have a friend and coworker that has a 120 with a well over TBO C85 that I fly with a lot. If the Aerovee Sonex can perform as well or better in Takeoff and Climb profile than that 120, I'd be happy enough. We never have problems getting out of the standard 2000-2500ft grass strips at gross in the NC heat. Id be really happy with the 125 MPH cruise of the Sonex vs the 100MPH of the 120.