builder's assistance

[trevechols]

Is there a need for builder assistance of sonex aircraft?
Are there a lot of sonex customers that want to own one built to their specs without building themselves?

[Bryan Cotton]

Not for me! I would think somebody well heeled enough to hire the build would lean more toward expensive airframes. A lot of folks probably gravitate to Sonex due to affordability as part of our reality check.

[kmacht]

I'm pretty sure what you are suggesting isn't legal at least in the United States. You can't hire someone to build an aircraft registered experimental amateur built. You can hire someone to do some of the work but at least 51% has to be done by non-hired help. If you are looking for a business to get into related to sonex aircraft I would suggest doing something like building custom pre-wired panels or assembling peoples aerovees for them. Those seem to be the two areas people seem to worry about most.

Keith
#554

[MichaelFarley56]

What you suggest would violate the regulations. That's not the intent of homebuilding and amateur built aircraft.

Furthermore, the Sonex builds so fast that I doubt many people would be interested anyway.

Just my two cents...

[Gunther]

Hello Trevchols. I applaud you for your entrepreneurial spirit and desire to help others. There might be a market for Sonex related subassemblies, accessories and tools. Here's a few examples:

- speed mods
- custom fuel tanks for fuselage and wings
- carbon fibre cowls and fairings
- infrared exhaust and turbo shielding
- custom instrument panels
- push/pull throttle systems
- wing/fuselage construction stands
- wheel penetration snow skis
- firewall forward kits for R912
- cold air induction kits

Of course, all these nice ideas take energy, money, technical and marketing skills. Are you presently building or flying a Sonex?

Gunther

[trevechols]

I am not currently building. Lack of funds. I did however work for an LSA company as their r and d and prototype builder. I was tasked with taking a design into the SLSA category. I am a professional structures mechanic working for a major aircraft company. My passion however is small planes. I have taken several designs from concept through flight testing and the FAA red tape. I really like the Onex for my next project. I'm just trying to find a way to finance it. The company I worked for was more about scamming money out of people than producing aircraft. This was unfortunate because I really enjoy the work.