Sonex Aircraft Sonex

infobox Aircraft
name = Sonex
type = amateur-built airplane

manufacturer = Sonex Aircraft



caption =
designer = John Monnett
first flight =
introduction =
retired =
status =
primary user = private owners
more users =
produced =
number built = 200
program cost=
unit cost = USD$20,000 - 26,0000
developed from =
variants with their own articles =

The Sonex, Waiex and Xenos are a family of lightweight, metal, low-wing, two seat homebuilt aircraft. Kits are produced and marketed by Sonex Aircraft, a small manufacturer based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Designed to meet the needs of European and American sport aircraft markets, the Sonex can accept various lightweight – less than 200 lb ( kg) – engines of between 80 and 120 hp. Due to the aircraft's light weight, it fits the requirements for the new light-sport aircraft regulations.

Development

The Sonex plans contain several construction options, including conventional or tricycle landing gear, as well as a center or dual stick. Motor mount drawings are supplied for all three recommended powerplants: the 2180cc Volkswagen, 2200 Jabiru, and 3300 Jabiru. High performance is achieved through a clean aerodynamic shape and simple, light weight construction.

The Sonex can be built from scratch using factory supplied drawings or may be assembled in approximately 800 to 1,000 hours using the precut complete airframe kit. A complete kit based Sonex can be constructed for as little as USD$20,000.Kitplanes Staff: "2008 Kit Aircraft Directory", page 72, Kitplanes Magazine December 2007 Volume 24, Number 12, Belvior Publications, Aviation Publishing Group LLC.]

The aviation website Aero-News.Net named the Sonex the Plane Of The Year - E-LSA Kit Category for 2006. cite web|url = http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=277aa84a-08df-4e4e-bb6c-c65a07bc05b2|title = Final: ANN Names the 2006 Plane Of The Year--E-LSA Kit Category|accessdate = 2008-03-15|last = Aero-News Network|authorlink = |year = 2007|month = January]

Variants

;Sonex:The original aircraft design, incorporating a low-wing design, seats two, and a conventional tail. cite web|url = http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/sonex.html|title = Sonex - the Original Reality Check|accessdate = 2008-10-09|last = Sonex Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008] ;Waiex:Almost identical to the Sonex, but features a butterfly tail. The company markets this version under the motto "Just Because It Looks Cool". cite web|url = http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/waiex.html|title = Waiex - Just Because It Looks Cool|accessdate = 2008-10-09|last = Sonex Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008] ;Xenos:Motor-glider development of the Waiex with longer wings and a lower-power engine. cite web|url = http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/xenos.html|title = Xenos|accessdate = 2008-10-09|last = Sonex Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2008]

pecifications (Sonex with 120 hp Jabiru engine)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref="manufacturer’s website"cite web | url=http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/sonex.html | title=Sonex | work=Sonex Aircraft | accessdate=2006-04-14 ]

crew=one
capacity=one passenger
length main=17 ft 7 in
length alt= 5.4 m
span main=22 ft 0 in
span alt= 6.7 m
Air Foil = 64-415
height main= < 6 ft
height alt= <1.8 m
area main=98 ft²
area alt= 9.1 m²
airfoil=NACA 64-415
Fuel Capacity = 16 US Gal.
Fuel Capacity alt = 60.3 L
empty weight main=620 lb
empty weight alt= 281 kg
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=530 lb
useful load alt= 240 kg
max design stress= -3.0Gs/+6.0Gs
max takeoff weight main=1,150 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 522 kg
more general=

engine (prop)=Jabiru 3300
type of prop=air-cooled piston
number of props=1
power main=120 hp
power alt= 89.5 kW

max speed main=
max speed alt=
cruise speed main=150 - 170 mph
cruise speed alt= 241.4 - 173.6 km/h
cruise speed more=true at 8,000 ft
never exceed speed main=197 mph
never exceed speed alt=317 km/h
stall speed main=40 mph
stall speed alt=64 km/h
range main=400 - 550 mi
range alt= 645 - 885 km
ceiling main= 16,000 ft
ceiling alt= 4880 m
climb rate main=1,200 - 2,000 ft/min
climb rate alt=
glide ratio= 11:1
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=9.58 lb/hp
power/mass alt=
more performance=

References