FAA Airworthiness Certification & Registration Information and Resources for Sonex Aircraft
Sonex, LLC has partnered with the FAA, EAA and other aircraft manufacturers to play a leading role in shaping and adopting today's Experimental/Amateur-Built aircraft rules. We have compiled this page of information to help Sonex Aircraft builders register and certify their homebuilt aircraft projects.
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"Major Portion" or "51 Percent Rule" Compliance
On March 31 2010, Sonex, LLC kits became the first amateur-built kits to be accepted by the FAA under Advisory Circular AC 20-27G, FAA Order 8130.2, and FAA Order 8130.35C via FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) evaluation, with all new aircraft models and kit variations being audited and accepted since that time. Sonex Aircraft recommends that all builders thoroughly read and understand these rules. All Sonex Aircraft kits can be found on the FAA's listing of Amateur-Built Kits Checklists and Approval Letters Evaluated by National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) with direct links below to help builders easily identify the proper checklist to use for their specific kit.
NKET evaluation not only bolsters 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, Matched-Hole Formed Parts, and Quick Build kit upgrades offered by Sonex, LLC, showing that all Sonex Aircraft kits with all available options can be built within the rules. 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."
Sonex Aircraft builders should download the appropriate selection among the following Amateur-Built Aircraft Fabrication and Assembly Checklist forms for Sonex aircraft, for use as kit compliance documents. Instructions for using these checklists can be found in FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-27G.
| FAA NKET Amateur-Built Fabrication and Assembly Checklists: |
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| SubSonex: |
| Quick Build Kit: |
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| Sonex-B: |
| Quick Build Kit: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits: |
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| Sonex: |
| Quick Build Kit: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits (shipped August, 2012 or later -- includes Matched-Hole Formed Parts): |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits (shipped prior-to August, 2012) with Pre-Assembled Main Wing Spar and/or Machined Angle Component kit upgrades: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits (shipped prior-to August, 2012) with no kit upgrades: |
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| Waiex-B: |
| Quick Build Kit: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits: |
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| Waiex: |
| Quick Build Kit: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits (shipped August, 2012 or later -- includes Matched-Hole Formed Parts): |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits (shipped prior-to August, 2012) with Pre-Assembled Main Wing Spar and/or Machined Angle Component kit upgrades: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits (shipped prior-to August, 2012) with no kit upgrades: |
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| Onex: |
| Quick Build Kit: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits with Pre-Assembled Main Wing Spar and/or Machined Angle Component kit upgrades: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits with no kit upgrades: |
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| Xenos: |
| Quick Build Kit: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits with Pre-Assembled Main Wing Spar and/or Machined Angle Component kit upgrades: |
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| Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kits with no kit upgrades: |
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Amateur-Built Aircraft Fabrication and Assembly Checklist form FAQ's:
Q: What is so significant about these checklists? A: The Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos were the first Amateur-Built Kits to be accepted by the FAA under Advisory Circular AC 20-27G, FAA Order 8130.2, and FAA Order 8130.35, with all new aircraft models and kit variations being audited and accepted since that time. Sonex encourages everyone involved with Experimental-Amateur Built Aircraft to thoroughly read and understand these rules.
Q: I'm building a Sonex Aircraft, how do I use this checklist? A: These new checklists are the starting point for you if you purchase a Sonex Aircraft Complete Airframe Kit, Sub-Kits or Quick Build Kits. You should use these checklists to prove that you are building the majority of the aircraft. You can also use these new lists to legally obtain commercial assistance on your project. The column on the right-hand side contains a place for the FAA (or FAA Designated) Inspector to review what you've had done for you to ensure compliance as part of your aircraft registration process. If considering commercial assistance with your project you can pre-fill a sample checklist to run the calculations and check for compliance.
Q: How do I get a copy of the checklists? A: Download them right from our web site (above)! We have established this web page dedicated to materials needed for registration.
Q: I have a lot of questions on how to register my homebuilt aircraft. What should I do? A: Order the comprehensive Amateur-Built Aircraft Certification Kit (below) from EAA. This should answer all of your questions by providing a step-by-step guide through the registration process.
Recommended Reading: EAA Experimenter Magazine, January 2013 "Building Your Homebuilt Using the New FAA Major Portion Checklist" by Joe Gauthier
Still Have Questions?: Contact Sonex Aircraft
Registration and Airworthiness Certification
Sonex, LLC highly recommends that all builders use the EAA Amateur-Built Aircraft Certification Kit, which is available for purchase online.
The kit includes everything you need to register and certificate a new experimental amateur-built aircraft. The 15-page, step-by-step Certification Guide walks you through the entire process-from getting an N number to the aircraft inspection-and provides samples of how to complete each required form. The certification kit also includes all FAA forms, Experimental sticker (in black), dataplate, and a convenient placard decal sheet.
SubSonex Inspection Program
SubSonex Inspection Program (Fillable PDF)
(Revision A Updated 01/19/21)
Download Fillable PDF Form for filing with the cognizant Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) - Required for all turbine powered experimental aircraft.
Xenos Motorglider Certification Tips
Updated: 10/07/2021The following information and advice is provided by the government advocacy team at EAA:
EAA has clarified an FAA guidance issue that had been a point of confusion in the certification of experimental self-launching gliders. When the FAA most recently revised Order 8130.2J, they removed a paragraph that gave inspectors and designated airworthiness representatives (DARs) special instructions on the certification of gliders. While the deletion was for the sake of consistency, it inadvertently removed a reference to a guidance document on what constitutes a self-launching glider.
This is important because it is up to the DAR or inspector to use their discretion in choosing an aircraft’s category and class to assign through its operating limitations. Absent any design standard, there is not a concrete distinction between a self-launching glider and an airplane. The FAA’s definition in FAR 1.1 is simply “a heavier-than-air aircraft, that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces and whose free flight does not depend principally on an engine.” This lack of clarity had the potential to complicate certification in the field, with inspectors charged with individually drawing the distinction between airplane and glider.
The FAA policy staff has confirmed to EAA that the previously referenced advisory circular, AC 21.17-2, remains valid guidance despite it not being referenced in the order. They are considering adding the reference back in the next revision. AC 21.17-2 defines a self-launching glider as:
- The number of occupants does not exceed two
- Maximum weight does not exceed 850 kg (1874 pounds), and
- The maximum weight to wing span squared (w/b2) does not exceed 3.0 kg/m2 (0.62 lb./ft.2)
This definition covers most popular self-launching gliders, such as the Sonex Xenos with the extended wingtip option, although it doesn’t cover several designs certified as self-launching gliders in Europe under EASA standards. EAA supports the FAA’s use of AC 21.17-2, while maintaining flexibility for alternative standards when appropriate.
Sonex, LLC also recommends that you fill out your 8050-88 form to read Model: Xenos Motorglider. When working with your inspector/DAR, be sure to direct them towards the information below showing how the Xenos Motorglider fits into the AC 21.17-2A and JAR-22 definitions of a Powered Glider:
Definition of Motorglider or Powered Sailplane
Sonex, LLC accepts the formal definition of Powered Sailplanes for Type Certificated Aircraft from both the United States and the European Aviation Authorities. While it is not formally defined that an Aircraft Registered in the Experimental Category must meet these same criteria, any aircraft which does meet the criteria is an indisputable "Motorglider" or "Powered Glider"/"Powered Sailplane." The language in both the U.S. and the European documents are nearly identical and the portion of the documents which apply to this definition are as follows:
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United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration 7. ACCEPTABLE CRITERIA. |
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Joint Aviation Authorities JAR 22.1 Applicability |
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The following is the applicable data for the Xenos "Motorglider:"
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