Sonex Aircraft Sonex
Encyclopedia
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
.
Company founder, John Monnett was approached by an Italian business looking for an aircraft that would meet their Microlight
category. A variation of Sonerai
was initially proposed to meet the 40 mph minimum flight speed requirement. Eventually a clean-sheet design was built around a Jabiru or VW engine installation with similar all-aluminum box fuselage construction as the Monnett Moni. The Sonex can accept various lightweight – less than 200 lb (91 kg) – engines of between 80 hp.
The Sonex, Waiex and Xenos all qualify as American experimental light-sport aircraft
(ELSA).
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$25,600.
The aviation website Aero-News.Net named the Sonex the Plane Of The Year - E-LSA
Kit Category for 2006.
Sonex
Waiex
Xenos
Onex
Under development - All new design introduced at Airventure 2009. The design features a single seat with folding wings and an AeroVee Volkswagen air-cooled engine.
SubSonex
Homebuilt aircraft
Also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, homebuilt aircraft are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.-Overview:...
. Kits are produced and marketed by Sonex Aircraft
Sonex Aircraft
Sonex Aircraft, LLC is an American aircraft kit manufacturer located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, producing kits for four all-metal homebuilt monoplanes. The company is led by John Monnett who has designed the Monnett Sonerai sport aircraft series, Monnett Monerai sailplane, Monnett Moni motorglider, and...
, a small manufacturer based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
.
Company founder, John Monnett was approached by an Italian business looking for an aircraft that would meet their Microlight
Ultralight aviation
The term "ultralight aviation" refers to light-weight, 1- or 2-person airplanes., also called microlight aircraft in the UK, India and New Zealand...
category. A variation of Sonerai
Monnett Sonerai
The Sonerai is a small, VW powered homebuilt aircraft designed by John Monnett. The Sonerai began to compete as a single seat mid-wing Formula-V racer class formed in 1972. The Sonerai soon evolved into a two-seat model called the Sonerai II...
was initially proposed to meet the 40 mph minimum flight speed requirement. Eventually a clean-sheet design was built around a Jabiru or VW engine installation with similar all-aluminum box fuselage construction as the Monnett Moni. The Sonex can accept various lightweight – less than 200 lb (91 kg) – engines of between 80 hp.
The Sonex, Waiex and Xenos all qualify as American experimental light-sport aircraft
Light-sport Aircraft
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
(ELSA).
Development
The Sonex plans contain several construction options, including conventionalConventional landing gear
thumb|The [[Piper PA-18|Piper Super Cub]] is a popular taildragger aircraft.thumb|right|A [[Cessna 150]] converted to taildragger configuration by installation of an after-market modification kit....
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$25,600.
The aviation website Aero-News.Net named the Sonex the Plane Of The Year - E-LSA
Light-sport Aircraft
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
Kit Category for 2006.
Variants
- In production - The original aircraft design, incorporating a low-wing design, seats two, and a conventional tail.
Waiex
- In production - Almost identical to the Sonex, but features a Y-tail. Although similar in looks to a V-tail, the Y-tail has a stub rudder in line with the aft fuselage. The company markets this version under the motto Just Because It Looks Cool.
Xenos
- In production - motor-glider development of the Waiex with longer wings and the same choice of engines.
Onex
Sonex Aircraft Onex
-External links:***...
Under development - All new design introduced at Airventure 2009. The design features a single seat with folding wings and an AeroVee Volkswagen air-cooled engine.
SubSonex
- Under development - A single place single engine turbine aircraft similar in design to an Onex, with a Waiex style Y tail. Introduced at Airventure 2009. Powered by a Czech-built PBS TJ-100 turbojet engine mounted above the aft fuselage, with the exhaust exiting between the Y-tail. The SubSonex achieved first engine test runs in December 2009. The engine produces 240 lb (109 kg) of thrust. Originally developed with only a central mono pod wheel, tail wheel and small wing tip outriggers. The prototype developed directional controllability problems during taxi-tests. The SubSonex now has a tricycle landing gear.and was flight tested by Jet-sailpane performer Bob Carlton in August 2011.