ASA Crossville Fly-In Another Huge Success!
10-24-11

Event organizer John Davis on the ASA 2011 flight line.

John Davis (Sonex SN# 523) and his American Sonex Association held another very large Crossville, TN Fly-In event October 7-8. The 8th annual event attracted 26 Sonex Aircraft, 149 registered attendees and 22 demo rides were given by the Sonex pilots in attendance!

"This year for the first time we had a Xenos [S/N X0032] flown by Ted and Nancy Staton from Athens GA," reports John. "It was the centerpiece of the ramp display and a really fun bird to move around and get tied down at night."

The weekend of flying and builder presentations was "capped off by the traditional Big Boys BBQ pulled pork dinner with all of the fixin's," writes John. Oshkosh's own Wayne Daniels (Sonex S/N 444) received the award for the longest distance flown, but it was later discovered that John Murr (Waiex S/N W0055) beat-out Wayne by 2.7 miles, flying-in from Landisville, Pennsylvania. Door prizes from Sonex Aircraft, LLC and other suppliers were also awarded during the event. More event photos can be found on the ASA web site.

Sonex Aircraft, LLC would like to again extend our huge thanks to John Davis and all of his helpers for organizing another great Sonex builder event, and to all participants for making it such a big success every year!

Group shot of the ASA 2011 crowd of 149 registered attendees!
Part of the flight line and main meeting hangar for the ASA Crossville fly-in.	Ted and Nancy Staton taxi-in with their Xenos, the first ever to attend Crossville!

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Hornets' Nest R&D Update:
Onex Tri-Gear Flies; Spin Test Video Online!
10-10-11

The Hornets' Nest R&D team is pleased to announce that the Onex Tri-Gear prototype made its first flight on October 5th!

Earlier this year, test pilot Roger Tanner began a series of flight tests to evaluate basic aerobatics and spins, and confirm stall speeds. More information and a brief video of some of Roger's Onex flight test maneuvers can be found in the official update on the Hornets' Nest R&D web site.

Visit the Hornets' Nest R&D web site home page!

Sonex First Flight: Yuji Watabe
10-10-11

Congratulations to Yuji Watabe of Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan whose AeroVee powered, standard gear Sonex (S/N 1188) flew for the first time on October 9th! Yuji's aircraft is the first Sonex ever to fly in Japan. Gold Wings are on the way!

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Hornets' Nest R&D Update:
SubSonex Jet Aircraft Logs More Flight Time!
10-07-11

The Hornets' Nest R&D team is extremely pleased with the progress of the SubSonex Jet aircraft since first flight on August 10, 2011. Bob Carlton flew the aircraft several more times before leaving for his next air show, and his flights continued to expand the envelope of the SubSonex as his comfort level with the ship increased. Since then, Sonex's own John Monnett and Drew Waterworth have flown the aircraft several more times, and the SubSonex has been fitted with a retractable nose gear. Read much more, see photos, and watch four new SubSonex flight videos in the official update at the Hornets' Nest R&D web site!

Visit the Hornets' Nest R&D web site home page!

Sonex First Flight: Michel Vigneault
10-07-11

Congratulations to Michel Vigneault of Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada whose AeroVee powered, standard gear Sonex (S/N 91) flew for the first time on June 8th! "I am happy of my new plane," writes Michel. Gold Wings are on the way!

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Fall Sonex Workshop a Great Weekend!
10-04-11

Jeremy Monnett preforms a steep turn over the Sonex Workshop crowd on Saturday morning.

Sonex Aircraft hosted another very large group of current and prospective Sonex, Waiex, Xenos, and Onex builders at the 49th Sonex Aircraft Builder's Workshop on October 1st and 2nd! Attendees from across the country (and around the globe) traveled to Oshkosh to learn more about building, owning and flying Sonex Aircraft. The group constructed sample Sonex metalworking projects, received detailed informational sessions about all Sonex Aircraft designs, engine options, AeroConversions products, and all other aspects of building, owning and operating Sonex Aircraft.

Beautiful clear fall weather afforded opportunities on both Workshop days for several fly-by's by Sonex, Onex, and Xenos factory prototypes, as well as Waiex fly-by's courtesy Sonex engineering intern Brian Rothe in his personal aircraft.

There were many new Onex builders in attendance, as well as many considering the new single-place aircraft, and the interest level in all other Sonex Aircraft airframe models was strong as well.

On Saturday evening, Jeremy Monnett gave attendees a briefing about Hornets' Nest R&D projects, with a special emphasis on all the latest Onex information. Sonex builder Phil Simon also gave a brief presentation about his experiences flying his Tri-Gear Sonex#492 to all 48 lower United States over three summers. Phil attended this weekend's Workshop as a refresher before beginning construction of his new Onex kit! Sunday's lunch break included a brief presentation from Charlie Becker of EAA, who spoke about EAA programs and benefits, the ins-and-outs of homebuilt aircraft certification, and his own experiences building the EAA employee flying club's Sonex Aircraft project.

The Sonex Aircraft Workshop continues to be an extremely valuable experience for our builders, saving them time, money and answering many frequently asked questions in the building process. Sonex Builder Workshops are held several times per year at the Sonex Aircraft, LLC facilities in Oshkosh, WI, and significant kit discount incentives are offered for attendees. Our next Sonex Workshop will be held January 28-29, 2012. Sign-up Today!

Jeremy does some fly-by's in the Sonex Sport Trainer...	...then hops right into the Onex for some more flying.
Brian Rothe blows a little smoke in his Waiex with fellow Oshkosh builder & Sonex employee Wayne Daniels on-board.	Another nice view of the Onex tail wheel prototype in-flight over the October Workshop crowd.
Jeremy demonstrates the Onex wing fold process to the Workshop crowd.	Attendees closely inspect Sonex factory prototype aircraft.
Jeremy welcomes Workshop attendees, introduces the Sonex staff, and passes the microphone around for attendees to introduce themselves to the group.	Jeremy discusses the major design features of Sonex Aircraft in a walkaround presentation using various aircraft in the Sonex Research and Development hangar.
Kerry Fores teaches how to read and interpret Sonex Aircraft plans.	Workshop attendees get to work on their sample metalworking projects.
Jeremy gives instruction in Sonex wing spar riveting techniques.	A couple drills the project's sample wing spar web section.
On Sunday morning, Jeremy demonstrates Xenos soaring capabilities, engine off!	Jeremy talks to the crowd about Xenos flight handling after he lands.
Workshop attendees close-in on the completion of their sample metalworking projects.	John Monnett, who was out of town until Sunday afternoon, gives a presentation about major build tasks.

Learn More about the Sonex Aircraft Builder's Workshop!

Waiex First Flight: Larry Engert
09-29-11

Congratulations to Larry Engert of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho whose Jabiru 3300 powered, standard gear Waiex (S/N W0121) flew for the first time on September 24th! "Just a quick note here to let you folks know another Sonex has left the nest," writes Larry. "Waiex #121 got her pink slip at 12:30pm Pacific and I was wheels off by 4:00pm on her maiden flight. A quick thank you to the staff at Sonex that took my calls and reaffirmed my progress when I got stuck. A very special shout out to Mike January, Ray Krause and Kip Laurie for their insight when it seemed I was stuck on some point. Many others gave advice on how to accomplish specific tasks when I got stuck. To all of you, thanks again." Gold Wings are on the way to Larry!

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Sonex Flying Stories: A Xenos Will Fit!
09-22-11

We've received another interesting video from Xenos #35 build partners Steve Nelson and Chris Dearden. "A Xenos Will Fit" is an entertaining time-lapse view of Chris parking the Xenos in their 40 foot rectangular hangar without even removing the aircraft's wing tips. The Xenos is a large aircraft by most pilot's standards, but Chris estimates that they can still fit one "standard" aircraft in their hangar along with a Onex with the wings folded... we like how Steve and Chris think!

For Many more outstanding builder-submitted videos, articles, and photos, check-out the Sonex Flying Stories page!

Sonex Flying Stories: Smoking and Soaring!
09-12-11

Two great new builders' videos have been posted to our Sonex Flying Stories page today!

The prolific video production team of Tom Huebbe (Sonex #764) and Mark Huebbe (Sonex #24) have released their latest creation, "Smoke On" featuring Mark's Sonex in some beautiful ground-to-air, air-to-air, and mount camera footage. The title says it all, as Mark has some fun with his smoke system.

Build partners Steve Nelson and Chris Dearden have submitted some new footage of their Xenos#35. "Winter Thermals" is a wingtip mount camera video of the Xenos over the stunning landscape of South Australia.

For these, and many more outstanding builder-submitted videos, articles, and photos, check-out the Sonex Flying Stories page!

Waiex First Flight: Victor Vicari
09-02-11

Congratulations to Victor Vicari of Goreville, Illinois whose Jabiru 3300 powered, tri-gear Waiex (S/N W0100) flew for the first time on August 15th! "The first flight went well and I was surprised how gently it landed," writes Vic. "I would like to thank Robert Eley for his support, Kerry Fores for all the tech advice and the guys in chapter EAA 277 that lent a hand or gave a little advise when I needed it. Also the fellows on the Sonex site that I talked to or emailed from time to time on different subjects during the building phase. I can’t say enough about Matt at MGL [Avionics] who was always spot on when I quizzed him about a problem. Lastly my wife Gina for all the work on the interior and of course all the folks at Sonex. Hope to see you all at the ASA fly in October 7-8-9." Gold Wings are on the way to Vic!

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Sonex Builders Make Strong Showing at Northern California Oroville Airport Day Fly-In!
09-01-11

Sonex Aircraft builders gathered at the Orville Airport Day Fly-In on Saturday, August 20th, in Northern California. Out of the 50 aircraft on display at Airport Day, Sonex builders accounted for 10 planes! In addition to participation in the main fly-in event, the Sonex crowd was hosted and fed by two-time builder Merle Reppert at his Oriville hangar. "Great day," writes Merle. "and THANKS to all who attended and helped out."

"I can’t say enough about the Sonex family," reports attendee Jeffry Larson. "This is a great group of people and they become better friends every time we get together. With 10 planes gathered together it was amazing to go over each one and see the little details that make each one special and unique. Each of us learned something new that we didn’t know before... Great fun, great people and great airplanes. Several builders and prospects got rides thanks to Doug Smith and lots of smiles showed all day."

Sonex Aircraft, LLC would like to extend our thanks to Merle, for organizing another great Sonex builder event, and to all participants for making it a great day for all.

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