FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonex Aircraft the First to Receive Official FAA NKET
Listing Under New Amateur Building Rules

April 9, 2010, Oshkosh, WI

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is excited to announce that Sonex, Waiex and Xenos aircraft kits are the first to receive official FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) checklist acceptance and publication under the newly revised rules governing experimental/amateur-built aircraft, continuing Sonex Aircraft’s proactive leadership role in the experimental aircraft industry. NKET checklist participation also opens the opportunity for Sonex Aircraft builders to legally obtain commercial assistance for their projects.

Following participation in the FAA’s Amateur-Built Rulemaking Committee (ARC) formed in August of 2006, Sonex Aircraft invited the FAA’s newly formed National Kit Evaluation Team to use Sonex, Waiex and Xenos kits for their practice evaluation exercises, making Sonex Aircraft a natural choice for the NKET’s first official evaluations to follow. As of March 31, the Sonex, Waiex and Xenos are the first amateur-built kits to be accepted by the FAA under Advisory Circular AC 20-27G, FAA Order 8130.2F, and FAA Order 8130.35. Not only does NKET evaluation bolster the pre-existing, grandfathered evaluations of Sonex Aircraft kits, but it also updates the acceptance to include the latest Pre-Assembled Main Wing Spar and Machined Angle Component kit upgrades offered by Sonex Aircraft, LLC. Additionally, Sonex Aircraft customers can use NKET checklists to determine exactly how much commercial assistance may be used in the construction of their projects without violating the “major portion” requirement of 14 CFR section 21.191(g) for experimental/amateur-built aircraft, commonly referred to as the “51 Percent Rule.”

“While the Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos kits were already grandfathered in from the previous evaluations, Sonex Aircraft saw value in pursuing evaluation under the new rules particularly for our customers who wished to legally obtain commercial assistance for their projects.” Commented Jeremy Monnett, Sonex Aircraft, LLC General Manager and CEO. “Sonex Aircraft also wants to continue its leadership role in the development and integration of the new rules governing amateur building in the United States. Our experience with the new rules, the NKET, and FAA management has been superb. The FAA is, in our view of things, fairly and consistently integrating these new rules.”

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is a leader in the experimental kit aircraft industry, providing a series of Sport Pilot eligible kit aircraft and producing the AeroConversions line of products which include the AeroVee engine, AeroInjector and ancillary aviation products. Sonex Aircraft’s Sonex and Waiex sport planes, and the Xenos sport motorglider offer outstanding performance in an easy to build, easy to fly kit package that can be purchased and completed with full technical support at an unrivaled price. Sonex and AeroConversions product development is committed to providing simple, elegant and low-cost solutions for sport flying. Simply put, Sonex Aircraft and AeroConversions products provide the best performance per dollar. Check us out at www.SonexAircraft.com and www.AeroConversions.com

PRESS CONTACT:

Mark Schaible
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
www.SonexAircraft.com
Phone: (920) 231-8297
Fax:     (920) 426-8333
E-mail: mark@sonexaircraft.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

• SONEX KIT CHECKLISTS, FAQ’S AND OTHER RESOURCES: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/support/faa
   
• LIST OF FAA EVALUATED AMATEUR-BUILT KITS: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/ultralights/amateur_built/kits/
   
• FAA ORDER 8130.35 (NATIONAL KIT EVALUATION TEAM – NKET): http://tinyurl.com/yjp5a5n
   
• FAA ORDER 8130.2F CHANGE 4: http://tinyurl.com/yfysg8j
   
• FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR AC 20-27G (INCLUDES SAMPLE OF NEW CHECKLIST): http://tinyurl.com/yfjgf6g
   
• EAA.ORG ARTICLE: “FAA KIT EVALUATORS TUNE-UP NEW KIT APPROVAL PROCESS AT SONEX”: http://www.eaa.org/news/2009/2009-10-23_sonex.asp
   
• SONEX PRESS RELEASE: “SONEX AIRCRAFT, LLC PARTICIPATES IN PRELIMINARY FAA NKET EVALUATION EXERCISES”: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/press/releases/pr_102809.html
   
• SONEX PRESS RELEASE: “SONEX AIRCRAFT, LLC SUBMITS COMMENTS TO FAA ARC, CALLS BUILDERS TO ACTION, AND PLANS OCTOBER ARC MEETING PRESENCE”: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/press/releases/pr_091108.html
   
• SONEX PRESS ADVISORY: “OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESS AND PUBLIC RE: FAA AMATEUR-BUILT RULEMAKING COMMITTEE”: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/press/releases/pr_021508_2.html

HIGH RESOLUTION SONEX AIRCRAFT, LLC AND AEROCONVERSIONS IMAGES AVAILABLE BY REQUEST FROM THE IMAGE GALLERIES LISTED AT: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/press/images.html

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