After a long COVID drought of airplane gatherings made only slightly less-painful by innovative virtual events, the Sonex community enjoyed their first builder gathering with the 2021 Midwest Sonex Fly-In held at Drake Field Airport (KFYV) in Fayetteville, AR. The following report is from event co-organizer Rick Wantz:
This years fly-in was a huge success due to all of the wonderful Sonex enthusiast’s that took the time to come join us this year! Bob Mika said it best: “There is nothing like the people in the Sonex community, just wonderful people,” and it was more than evident this weekend. We had over 50 Sonex enthusiasts join us this year and 4 Sonex aircraft on display from Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. Due to weather to the south of Fayetteville the Texas Sonex guys were not able to join us this year. The early arrivals started on Friday and we all meet up at Tim’s Pizza on the Downtown Fayetteville square for a nice evening together. Sonex enthusiasts drove in from as far as 12 hrs away to be with us this weekend. We met up Saturday morning at 6:30am with Frank and his trailer full of tents and chairs to setup. Coffee and donuts were next on my agenda.
We had many opportunities for future and present Sonex builders to get to know other Sonex owners and share experiences. Over the years I attended this fly-in when Bob Mika was hosting it in the Kansas City area. It was instrumental in helping to keep me inspired and motivated to complete my Sonex. I would personally like to thank each and every one of those original Midwest Sonex Fly-in contributors for inspiring me! We were fortunate to have three of the original Midwest Sonex crew fly in this weekend Mark Kingman, Jeff Shultz, and Gus Schlegel.
Jeff is a Sonex hero of mine! The first time I saw his website I was hooked. Anyone that has ever met Jeff knows what an incredible guy he is and a wonderful ambassador for the Sonex community! This weekend was without exception with Jeff doing what Jeff does. Every time I turned around there was another person with a smile from ear to ear climbing out of Jeff’s Sonex. I think Jeff flew 6 Sonex enthusiasts before lunch. Just incredible, Thanks Jeff for all you do for the Sonex community!
Alicia and Sheryl (AKA Sonex Wives) were kind enough to cater in Chick-Fil-A for lunch. After lunch was the door prize drawings that were donated from this year’s wonderful sponsors – Sonex Aircraft, Prince Aircraft Propeller, GRT Avionics, Wicks Aircraft, and Aircraft Spruce. The grand prizes went to Andrew Gaut who won 50% off GRT Sport EX EFIS Basic Package and with great applause from everyone Jeff Shultz’s number was drawn for a new Prince Aircraft Elliptical Propeller. Congratulations to both winners!
Unfortunately as the rain started to approach from the south we all had to pack up and depart. I would like to thank all of the those who joined us in helping make this another wonderful Midwest Sonex Fly-In. I cannot close this year’s Midwest Sonex Fly-in out without extending our extreme gratitude John Monnett and Sonex Aircraft for providing us the incredible privilege of being able to assemble and fly an airplane we can build in our garage and afford to fly! Thank you John, I love my little Sonex and all the wonderful friends I have made because of this little airplane…
Sonex Aircraft would like to extend its huge thanks to the enthusiasts and customers that keep this great community going, and specifically to Rick and Frank for organizing another successful grass-roots Sonex builder event!
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