Sun 'n Fun 2013 Sonex Events:
Florida Sonex Association to Hold Saturday "Spring Sonex Fest" Fly-In at Zephyrhills!
02-22-13

The Florida Sonex Association will be holding their First Member Home Airport "Spring Sonex Fest" on April 13, 2013 from 10am to 5pm at Zephyrhills Airport. This event is a great opportunity for Sun 'n Fun attendees to get a break from the busy Saturday crowds and learn more about Sonex Aircraft! Zephyrhills Airport is just a 35 minute drive from Lakeland: Get Directions!

Note: Registration is Required at the FSA web site so that event organizers and airport management can have enough food, refreshments, shade and other facilities prepared. Get more details at our Builders' Events Calendar!

Sonex Aircraft, LLC will once again be conducting informational forums at the 2013 Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, FL. Although Sonex Aircraft will not have an official exhibitor presence at Sun 'n Fun, the following forums and events will be held:

• Thursday, April 11th, 12:00 pm Room #2: "SubSonex Jet from Sonex Hornets' Nest Research & Development Team"
   
• Friday, April 12th, 11:00 am Room #3: "AeroVee Engine & AeroInjector: Sport Pilot Power"
   
  
• Friday, April 12th, 1:00 pm Room #11: "The Sonex, Waiex, Xenos and Onex: Sport Pilot Designs"
  

Sonex Happy Hour Thursday! Sonex will once again be holding their Happy Hour event for Sonex builders, Thursday, April 11th, 3pm at the Sunset Grill on SNF grounds.

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See the Sonex Aircraft, LLC Company Events Calendar!

See a Sonex Aircraft in Your Area:
2 New Gatherings Posted to Sonex
Aircraft Builders' Events Calendar!
02-21-13

The dedicated and enthusiastic corps of Sonex Aircraft builders organize numerous outstanding grass-roots Sonex Builders' Events around the world each year. Two new events have just been added to our Sonex Builders' Events Calendar:

• June 29, 2013: 1st Annual Great Lakes Sonex Fly-In - Bolingbrook, IL
• October 11-12, 2013: 10th Annual ASA Fly-In at Crossville - Crossville, TN

Sonex Builder Events are a great opportunity to see Sonex Aircraft in your area, meet Sonex Builders as they share their experiences building, owning and flying their aircraft, and even get your first opportunity to fly in a Sonex Aircraft! More information about these events can be found on our Sonex Builders' Events Calendar, including reports from previous events.

If you're organizing your own Sonex builder gathering, don't forget to submit the event for our calendar by emailing sales@sonexaircraft.com! Support materials such as brochures, DVD's and door prizes are also available for these events from Sonex Aircraft, LLC.

Find Sonex Builders & Aircraft in Your Area!

Join Sonex Aircraft Online Discussion Groups!

Sonex Employee Anniversaries:
Heather Zahner Celebrates 8 Years of Service!
02-19-13

Congratulations to Heather Zahner, who celebrates her 8-year employment anniversary at Sonex Aircraft, LLC! Heather joined us in February of 2005 and has grown in her responsibilities to become an increasingly vital and valued member of the Sonex team. Heather currently serves as Sonex Aircraft Office Manager leading the Sonex Customer Service team, while also managing accounts receivable, accounts payable, and human resources.

Read more about Heather, and the rest of the Sonex Aircraft Team!

Sonex Employee Anniversaries:
Ryan Grady Celebrates 1 Year of Service!
02-19-13

Congratulations to Ryan Grady, who celebrates his 1-year employment anniversary at Sonex Aircraft, LLC this month! Ryan is a full-time Warehouse Associate with Sonex, helping the Warehouse team to package and ship your kit, engine and parts orders every day.

Read more about Ryan, and the rest of the Sonex Aircraft Team!

See a Sonex Aircraft in Your Area:
5 New Gatherings Posted to Sonex
Aircraft Builders' Events Calendar!
02-08-13

The dedicated and enthusiastic corps of Sonex Aircraft builders organize numerous outstanding grass-roots Sonex Builders' Events around the world each year. As 2013 gets underway, five new events have recently been scheduled:

• February 16-17, 2013: SonexAus Yarrawonga Fly-In - Victoria, Australia
• March 29-30, 2013: SonexAus Gathering & Annual Meeting at NATFLY - NSW, Australia
• May 11, 2013: 4th Annual North Carolina Spring Fling - Siler City, NC
• May 25, 2013: Midwest Sonex Fly-In - Topeka, KS
• June 1, 2013: 10th Annual NorCal Sonex Fly-In at Rio Linda - Rio Linda, CA

Sonex Builder Events are a great opportunity to see Sonex Aircraft in your area, meet Sonex Builders as they share their experiences building, owning and flying their aircraft, and even get your first opportunity to fly in a Sonex Aircraft! More information about these events can be found on our Sonex Builders' Events Calendar, including reports from previous events.

If you're organizing your own Sonex builder gathering, don't forget to submit the event for our calendar by emailing sales@sonexaircraft.com! Support materials such as brochures, DVD's and door prizes are also available for these events from Sonex Aircraft, LLC.

Find Sonex Builders & Aircraft in Your Area!

Join Sonex Aircraft Online Discussion Groups!

Sonex Employee Spotlight: Kerry Fores Celebrates 10 Years at Sonex Aircraft!
02-05-13

Congratulations to Kerry Fores, who recently celebrated his 10-year employment anniversary at Sonex Aircraft, LLC! Kerry has been with Sonex Aircraft since January 2003, but volunteered his time beginning in 1999 after learning of John Monnett's plans to develop the Sonex design. As Technical Communications Manager at Sonex, Kerry is primarily reponsible for leading our technical support efforts, while writing, maintaining and managing Sonex Aircraft technical manuals, instruction sheets and other documentation.

Read more about Kerry, and the rest of the Sonex Aircraft Team!

Sonex First Flight: Ken Burdette
01-30-13

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Space Still Availaible for the March 2-3, 2013 Sonex Builder's Workshop: You're Invited!
01-28-13

Space is still available for our Spring Sonex Builder's Workshop scheduled for March 2-3, 2013 here at the Sonex factory in Oshkosh. The $200 registration fee is available for credit toward your plans or kit purchase. A number of kit discounts are also available only for workshop attendees and their guests. Don't miss your chance to save a tremendous amount of money and time with these workshop discount opportunities.

The Sonex workshop, held at our factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, gives you the opportunity to meet the Sonex staff, learn about the history of Sonex Aircraft designs and their design philosophy, learn all of the ins and outs of Sonex Aircraft construction, and gain confidence in your own abilities as you build a piece of the Sonex wing to take home with you.

Beat the Rush: Buy Now!
Note that there is no penalty for purchasing plans and/or kits in advance of the workshop. You receive the same discounts at the end of the workshop and you'll be first in line ahead of what we expect will be a strong list of post-workshop kit and engine orders.

Sign-Up for the Workshop Today!

See a Report from our most-recent Workshop!

New from AeroConversions: Introducing the AeroBrake Hydraulic Braking System! 01-21-13

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is excited to announce another addition to the AeroConversions product line: The AeroBrake Hydraulic Braking System! Due to popular demand, the AeroBrake is the first hydraulic brake product specifically designed for use with Sonex Aircraft airframes. The versatile AeroBrake design may also be used on a wide-variety of other experimental aircraft designs. While Sonex has had great success with the standard Azusa mechanical brake system over the years, the AeroBrake offers improved stopping power and smooth braking action in a head-to-head comparison of the installations.

In-keeping with the Sonex and AeroConversions tradition of providing simple and elegant products for sport aviation, the AeroBrake employs a unique non-caliper design that allows convenient and easy removal of the wheel assembly for maintenance of tires, wheels & bearings. The AeroBrake uses a simple disk as a bolt-on addition to standard Azusa-1137 or equivalent wheels. The AeroBrake assembly retains the same axle-to-wheel spacing as the traditional Azusa drum brake installation, and the entire installation weighs the same as a drum brake installation using AeroConversions Machined Brake Drums. Designed to use a 3/4" axle, builders may use bushings to adapt the AeroBrake for use with smaller axles.

Full installation kits are available for Sonex/Waiex/Xenos or Onex aircraft installation, including a simple and robust master cylinder, allowing builders to retain Sonex Aircraft's trademark universal braking with the existing brake handle form & function, including use of the parking brake detent. Universal (non-differential) braking, combined with Sonex Aircraft direct-steering nose wheel or tail wheel, offer the most positive control of the aircraft while making Sonex Aircraft tail wheel aircraft some of the easiest tail draggers to fly. Builders may use their own alternative master cylinder(s) to mount the brake control to the stick, or if differential braking is desired. Installation kits also include new laser-cut wheel pant mounting plates designed specifically for AeroBrake installation.

The AeroBrake is competitively priced, with packages starting at $350. Upgrade price for new Complete Airframe Kit or Sub-Kit purchase is $300. AeroBrake packages will be in-stock and available for shipping during the month of February, 2013. Place your order today to receive the earliest shipping opportunity!

AeroBrake's unique non-caliper design allows convenient and easy removal of the wheel assembly for maintenance of tires, wheels & bearings. The AeroBrake uses a simple disk as a bolt-on addition to standard Azusa-1137 or equivalent wheels.
Typical Onex aircraft installation including laser-cut wheel pant mount plate.	Typical Sonex/Waiex/Xenos aircraft installation including laser-cut wheel pant mount plate.
A simple and robust master cylinder is available, offering standard Sonex Aircraft universal brake actuation.	The AeroBrake master cylinder uses the standard Sonex Aircraft brake handle, offering identical form and function.

See More AeroConversions Products!

Sonex Builders' Events: First Southern California Sonex Builders Gathering Held at Mojave
01-21-13

The First Southern California Sonex Builders Gathering was held at Mojave Air and Space Port on Saturday January 19 2013 during the Mojave Transportation Foundation's "Plane Crazy Saturday." Three Sonex Aircraft and over 20 attendees participated in the event, according to event organizer and Sonex builder Dana Baker. Nick Sheryka pushed his Waiex #W0142 project down from his hanger on the field, Steve Cass flew-in with his Jabiru 3300 powered Sonex #868, and Ray Krause flew 368 miles to attend with his Waiex #W0051. "The weather was better than you could hope for with temps in the mid 60’s and calm winds," writes Dana. "Most people drove over 100 miles to come out here to the High Desert."

Door prizes donated by Sonex Aircraft and MGL Avionics were awarded to attendees, along with aircraft trophies and books from Dana Baker. "All three planes got a lot of attention," continues Dana. There were several prospective builders in attendance at the event to see what Sonex Aircraft has to offer. "They said this is just what they needed and will be building from the Sonex Aircraft product line soon. Everyone had a great time left with a big Sonex smile."

"I would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who attended the event," writes Dana. "Thank you to Sonex Aircraft and MGL Avionics for their contributions. Also a special thank you to Cathy Hanson, Director of The Mojave Transportation Museum, for letting us hold our gathering during their monthly event."

Sonex Aircraft, LLC would like to extend a huge thanks to Dana, as well as all participating pilots & attendees for making this new grass-roots Sonex builder event a success! Keep checking-back with our Builders' Events Calendar for more events to be posted over the coming months, and don't forget to submit your own events for posting on the calendar!

Attendees gather for a group shot for the first Southern California Sonex Builders Gathering at Mojave.	Steve Cass and his Jabiru 3300 powered Sonex# 868.
Ray Krause flew 368 miles with his Waiex# W0051 to attend!	Nick Sheryka pushed his Waiex# W0142 project 1/2 mile from his hanger to the fly-in ramp.

See the Sonex Aircraft Builders' Events Calendar!

Waiex First Flight: Harvey Miller
01-21-13

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Read More about Reporting Completion of your Sonex Aircraft!

Sonex First Flight: Alan Lowe
01-16-13

Congratulations to Alan Lowe of Wichita, Kansas whose standard gear, AeroVee powered Sonex (S/N 568) flew for the first time on January 15th! "It's been a long journey since I started building my Sonex," writes Alan. "Each step has presented challenges but have been rewarding. After completing the majority of the building came the flight training (wasn't a pilot when I started this endeavor), tailwheel endorsement, aircraft certification & insurance. All the effort was well worth it once the first flight was accomplished! The best is yet to come!" Gold Wings are on the way to Alan!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Visit Sonex Aircraft at Sebring LSA Expo:
Sebring Special Offers Available!
01-10-13

Are you attending the Sebring LSA Expo next week? We'd like to invite you to visit with John and Betty Monnett at Sonex Booth H506 (Inside Display Area). In addition, we invite you to join John Monnett for two presentations in the Forums area at Sebring:

• Friday, January 18th, 1pm to 2:30pm Forum Area #1: "The Sonex, Waiex, Xenos & Onex: Sport Pilot Designs"
• Saturday, January 19th, 1pm to 2:30pm Forum Area #1: "AeroVee Engine & AeroInjector: Sport Pilot Power"

Can't attend Sebring this year? You can still take advantage of two Sebring LSA Expo special offers available for all new orders placed by Friday, January 25th*:

1. All Complete Airframe Kits receive $500 off with the purchase of one or both the Pre-Assembled Main Wing Spar or Machine Angle Component Kit upgrade options.
2. All AeroVee Engine Kit orders receive the Pre-Assembled Prop Hub/Crankshaft Assembly option at no charge ($295 value).

*The above offers may not be combined with any other discounts or offers. To take advantage of these offers, mention "Sebring Specials" in the order comments section of your Sonex Web Store order or on your kit order form, or just give us a call! Learn More about placing Kit Orders!

For those considering attendance of one of our upcoming Sonex Builder Workshops, keep in-mind that deeper discount opportunities are available for Workshop attendees, including a $1,000 discount available for Complete Airframe Kit purchases that include both the Pre-Assembled Main Wing Spar and Machined Angle Component Kit options. Consider joining us for a Workshop in Oshkosh for an intensive weekend in all things Sonex. Our Spring Workshop is set for March 2-3, 2013 and full details can be found on our Workshops web page!

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Sonex Info Packs Now At Reduced Prices!
01-09-13

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is pleased to announce new reduced pricing for our Complete Info Pack and DVD's! You can now get our Complete Info Pack for just $10 (reduced from $35), including 4 DVD videos! The Complete Info Pack includes "The Sonex Story" DVD, "The Right Seat with Tony Spicer" DVD, the "AeroVee Assembly" DVD and "Flying the SubSonex JSX-1."

In addition, we have reduced the individual pricing of all DVD's to just $5! With the reduced costs of modern DVD replication and digital printing, we can now offer these new lower prices and get Sonex and AeroConversions literature and DVD's into as many hands as possible! Complete Info Pack and individual DVD pricing includes postage within the U.S. International postage rates may apply for those in other countries.

Read More About Sonex and AeroConversions DVD's & Info Packs!

Onex First Flight: Phil Davis
01-07-13

Congratulations to Phil Davis of Temple, Texas whose standard gear, AeroVee powered Onex (S/N ONX0056) flew for the first time on December 22nd! "Onex #0056 took to the air on a cool, crisp Saturday morning, December 22, 2012 just 13 months after arriving at the Con-way freight dock in Waco, TX," writes Phil, who built the aircraft in partnership with Derek Hodges. "A special thanks to Sonex scratch builder David Clay for his invaluable advise and expertise on various components of our Onex. Without his help, we'd still be scratching our heads! This flight represents the first flight of a Onex in the Great State of Texas!" Test pilot was Mike Singleton of Houston, who reported, "It flew like a Ferrari drives." Gold Wings are on the way to Phil!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Onex First Flight: Brent Mayo
01-02-13

Congratulations to Brent Mayo of Fernandina Beach, Florida whose standard gear, AeroVee powered Onex (S/N ONX0077) flew for the first time on December 19th! "The Onex is going to be very fun to fly," writes Brent. "I look forward to expanding the envelope on this little fighter. Wahoo!" Gold Wings are on the way to Brent!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions