After a big push that included some late nights, The Sonex Highwing prototype met its goal for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 by being complete enough for prospective customers to sit in the aircraft at our exhibit booth. The Highwing prototype was extremely well-received at AirVenture with hundreds of folks trying it on for-size throughout the week, receiving very positive comments regarding cockpit space, comfort and visibility. If you didn’t get to see the prototype in-person at our Open House or at the show, this photo update will show you what hundreds of others saw and sat-in, along with some images of the construction process leading-up to AirVenture.
A Big Thanks To Our Staff!
We have to make a shout-out to thank our amazing Sonex staff, who work incredibly hard year-round, and made a particularly tremendous effort getting the Highwing prototype ready for display!
On-Target for Weight:
As-pictured here and as-shown at AirVenture (including the seat cushions), the Sonex Highwing prototype currently weighs 313 lbs., which is perfectly on-target for our empty weight goal of 800-820 lbs. for the finished aircraft.
Per our previous Highwing update, the Estimated Weight Specifications for the Sonex Highwing are as-follows:
- Empty Weight: 800-820 lbs.
- Aerobatic Category Gross Weight (+6, -3 G): 1230 lbs.
- Limited Aerobatics Weight (+5.5, -2.5 G): 1340 lbs.
- Utility Category Gross Weight (+4.4, -2.2 G): 1500 lbs.
Easy Access, Side-By-Side Comfort and Big & Tall Space:
The Sonex Highwing prototype successfully demonstrated via hundreds of try-on’s during AirVenture that it seats two average-sized adults with mimimal contact between each person’s shoulders, if there is any contact at-all. The aircraft has a lot of clearance between the pilot’s knees and the instrument panel and there is lots of head room. Leg room for taller pilots is good, even with the protoype’s upholstery which currently has a 3 inch thick lumbar support. A thinner seat back cushion will accomodate those with especially long legs even better. Pilots up-to 6′ 5″ tried-on the Highwing during the show with all variations of leg vs. torso proportions. The Highwing’s large doors and low height of the doors off the ground served those with limited mobility well, making it relatively easy to get in and out. Notice in the video interviews on this page how quickly and easily people get in and out of the Highwing, as seen in the background of several of the video shots. The seat geometry is also incredibly comfortable!
What’s Next?
We are currently finalizing control prints for outboard wing parts, which we will be cutting in the next few weeks. Work is also ongoing to determine and refine the proper windshield flat pattern contours and test installation methods. Fiberglass tail tips are in-process with our vendor, and we’ll be working on controls installation, doors, fuel system and firewall forward. Stay tuned for more updates to-come!
A view from the top of the cockpit skylight windows and the aux fuel tank covers, which will eventually get fuel fill access doors.
The Highwing machined lower engine mount fitting ties into the “A pillar” structure and lower longerons as part of the door frame structure that carries the main wing spar loads.
Accustomed to our existing low-wing designs, Sonex staff and prospective customers alike needed a subtle reminder to “duck!” when getting in and out of the Highwing.
A view of the comfortable seat cushions and seating geometry.
Fold-down seats allow great access to the baggage area.
A view from the baggage compartment looking forward.
Large door opening makes for easy ingress and egress.
Sonex employee James Fitzgerald is 6′ 4″ tall without shoes on. Note that he is pictured here sitting in the aircraft with the 3″ thick lumbar cushion installed.
42″ interior cockpit width allows two adults to sit withough touching shoulders.
Highwing main wing spar machined mounts bolt to the spar and the “A pillar” of the door frame.
Sonex employee Tom Turner works on the Highwing empennage installation.
Sonex staffers Tony Jones (left) and Cris Nash (right) have some fun with Andrew McDougal (center) during a late night work session.
Green and red “position rags” helped the Sonex staff see and avoid bumping their noggins on the spars during construction.
A look at cockpit and inboard wing structure.
Cris rivets inboard wing skins. Highwing builders will spend some quality time with a step ladder during the build.
Cris tries-on the Highwing cockpit for the first time.
AJ starts making airplane noises during his first try-out of the pilot’s seat.
Look at that floor! Lots of last-minute cleaning was required before Sunday’s Open House.
Saturday morning before AirVenture: AJ and Tony (left) and Steve Severson (torso at-right) keep making progress.
Tom is working-away late Saturday Night before our Open House on Sunday.
Tony demonstrating that there’s plenty of riveting to do from the comfort of the pilot and passenger seats.
Mark Schaible approves the incredibly comfortable seat cushions from Flightline Interiors as work wraps-up on Saturday night.
Sunday morning weigh-in before the Sonex Open House: 313 lbs. is right on-target for our completed empty weight goals.
The Highwing enjoyed some good press coverage during AirVenture 2024:
Paul Dye of KITPLANES Magazine tries-on the Highwing.
Kitplanes Magazine:
Experimental Aircraft Channel:
Aero-News Network:
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Sonex Highwing Estimated SpecificationsSubject to change without notice
* Sonex Highwing features easily interchangeable wing tips for different span configurations. Sonex Highwing is designed to take advantage of the new FAA MOSAIC rules for Light Sport Aircraft! Specifications & Performance Subject to Change Without Notice. |
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