Merry Christmas from Sonex Aircraft!
12-19-14

Christmas is upon us, and it is time for our annual year-end inventory shutdown. As-posted on our Sonex Aircraft Company Events Calendar, we will be shut down from December 24th through January 1st. The Sonex year-end shutdown is a vital activity to conduct year-end inventory and other critical tasks. Sonex will be closed to customers during this time, and Sonex staff will not be available via telephone. This includes the Technical Support telephone line, however, Tech Support email will be checked and responded to as time allows during the shutdown, answered by order of receipt and urgency.

On behalf of the entire team here at Sonex Aircraft, we would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sonex Aircraft in the News: T-Flight Feature
Coverage in Kitplanes Magazine!
12-19-14

For the second month in a row, Sonex Aircraft is prominently featured in Kitplanes Magazine! The February, 2015 issue of the newsstand homebuilt aircraft publication includes "Getting a Good Start: Sonex T-Flight Program" written by Kitplanes Editor in Chief Paul Dye.

Paul Dye visited our factory in July, just prior to AirVenture 2014, and spent a full day with our Chief Flight Instructor, Joe Norris, experiencing the Sonex T-Flight Transition Training program from the customer's seat. The 9-page feature article is highly complimentary of both our program and Joe's excellent work as a transition training flight instructor, and includes sidebar pieces about FAA LODA authorizations for transition training in experimental aircraft, the SubSonex Personal Jet, and a look behind the scenes at our factory from Paul's perspective as a first-time visitor to Sonex.

The article will soon be available for subscribers on the Kitplanes web site, or you can grab a copy of the February issue at your local newsstand! This coverage follows Scott Spangler's article in the January, 2015 issue featuring the Sonex Builders Workshop seminar.

Learn More About T-Flight Transition Training!

SubSonex Displayed at ICAS; Sonex Aircraft to Exhibit at Sebring and Sun 'n Fun 2015!
12-12-14

There is much to report this week as the SubSonex is displayed at the 2014 ICAS convention, SubSonex kit production progresses, and Sonex Aircraft makes plans for Sebring and Sun 'n Fun, including a return to an official exhibitor presence at Sun 'n Fun for the first time since 2006!

SubSonex:
SubSonex lead test pilot and airshow performer, Bob Carlton exhibited at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) convention with a SubSonex for the second year in a row last week. With the much-more attractive and capable JSX-2 perched stunningly on a pedestal in Bob Carlton's Vertigo Airshows 2014 booth display, Bob, his wife Laurie, and Sonex Aircraft CEO Jeremy Monnett spoke to many airshow organizers about prospective bookings for Bob in the SubSonex JSX-2 during the 2015 and 2016 airshow seasons. The SubSonex prototype will stay with Bob as he practices his 2015 airshow routine in the aircraft, taking advantage of the year-round flying weather at his home base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More prospective SubSonex customers also visited the booth at ICAS to learn more about owning a SubSonex.

Production of the first seven customer SubSonex quick build kits continues to progress here at home in Oshkosh, and we look forward to making deliveries beginning in January. For 2015 production, the second block of SubSonex quick build kits is planned for completion mid-year, and production slots for those aircraft are still available! See the SubSonex home page for current pricing and order process details.

Sebring 2015, January 14-17:
Sonex Aircraft, LLC will once again be exhibiting at the 2015 Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, FL with an outdoor aircraft display space, Booth# 103, and the AeroVee Turbo powered Sonex Sport Acro will be on-display this year!

The following forum presentations will be given during the 2014 Sebring Expo:

• Wednesday, January 14th @ 1pm: Sonex Aircraft, LLC Company Overview
• Thursday, January 15th @ 1pm: AeroVee Engine, AeroVee Turbo and AeroInjector: Sport Pilot Power
• Friday, January 16th @ 1pm: The Sonex, Waiex, Xenos & Onex: Sport Pilot Designs
• Saturday, January 17th @ 1pm: SubSonex Personal Jet Update

Sun 'n Fun 2015, April 21-25:
Sonex Aircraft is excited to announce that we are returning with an official exhibitor presence at the 2015 Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, FL! Sonex will exhibit at booth NE-29, and the AeroVee Turbo powered Sonex Sport Acro will be on-display!

The Florida Sonex Association will also be holding their 3rd Annual Spring Sonex Fest again on Sun 'n Fun Saturday at the Dunnellon airport, north of Lakeland. More Sun 'n Fun details will be coming soon!

The SubSonex is easily unloaded from it's Triton Trailer outside of the convention center, and booth setup begins!
SubSonex model JSX-2 looks absolutely stunning from every angle on this banked-climb display stand perch.
Laurie Carlton speaks to an airshow organizer about booking the SubSonex act. The SubSonex offers many cost, time and airspace advantages over traditional jet shows.	The SubSonex has attracted fans from all-over the aviation industry, including Bob and Laurie's friend and airshow legend, Sean D. Tucker.
Production continues on the first seven customer SubSonex quick build kits, set to begin deliveries in January. Customer positions are available for the next block of SubSonex production, slated for mid-year, 2015 delivery. Learn how to Get Your Jet on the SubSonex home page!

Read More about Sebring, Sun 'n Fun and the Florida Sonex Association Spring Sonex Fest on the Sonex Company Events Calendar!

Read More about the SubSonex Personal Jet!

Sonex Employee Anniversaries:
Steve Severson Celebrates First Year of Service!
12-10-14

Congratulations to Steve Severson, who celebrates his 1-year employment anniversary at Sonex Aircraft, LLC this month! A US Navy veteran, Steve joined the Sonex staff as a Purchasing Agent in December, 2013. Steve has a diverse background in the warehouse and inventory fields and is a recent graduate from FVTC with an Associates of Applied Science in Supply Chain Management. In addition, he also graduated from FVTC in 2000 with a A.A.S. in Computer Networking.

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

Sonex First Flight: Leroy Brandt
12-04-14

Congratulations to Leroy Brandt of Dane, Wisconsin whose AeroVee powered, Tri-Gear Sonex (S/N 393) flew for the first time on December 4th! "What a wonderful airplane the Sonex team has designed," writes Leroy. "Thanks to everyone at Sonex for putting up with me eating free pizza every year at their open house. Thanks Kerry [Sonex Technical Support] for answering all my questions. I have to thank my wonderful first wife Glennda for putting up with my airplane habit... I'd like to thank my crew of three, Rich Blackmon, Bill Nicholson and Jerry Carncross. I had a ball flying her. Now the fun begins." Gold Wings are on the way to Leroy!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Sonex Builders Workshop Featured in January Issue of Kitplanes Magazine; You're Invited to Our Next One, March 7-8, 2015!
12-02-14

The Sonex Builders Workshop program is prominently featured in the January, 2015 issue of Kitplanes Magazine! The six-page feature, "Building Before Buying" by Scott M. Spangler, gives a detailed first-hand account of the typical experience at our seminar, along with perspectives from several other workshop attendees, and a sidebar regarding the T-Flight Transition Training program and T-Flight Basic Aircraft Familiarization Flights offered at our Workshops. The article is available for subscribers on the Kitplanes web site, or you can grab a copy of the January issue at your local newsstand!

You're Invited as we do it all-over again in March!
Interested in building a Sonex Aircraft? You're invited to attend our 59th Sonex Builders Workshop, scheduled for March 7-8, 2015 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.

Catch the Action from the Fall, 2014 Workshop:
Read a full report from our last Workshop, October 4-5, and learn what's in-store for your March, 2015 Spring Workshop experience, on our web site News Archive.

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.

Experience the Sonex Workshop AND a Sonex Aircraft Flight with our T-Flight Program:
Sonex Workshop attendees may sign-up for a Basic Aircraft Familiarization package via our T-Flight Transition Training program. Limited space is available and flight slots are weather-dependant. You may also extend your travel plans to fly during the week before or after the Workshop. Learn More about T-Flight and Sign-Up Today!

Get a 10 Percent Discount on Workshop Tools from Wicks Aircraft Supply!
Wicks Aircraft Supply is now offering a 10 percent discount on tools purchased for use at Sonex Builder's Workshops! Just mention your planned attendance of the Workshop when placing your order. Wicks can even ship your tools directly to Sonex Aircraft, LLC in anticipation of your arrival! See the Workshop Tools List on our Workshops web page. Wicks can also fill your Sonex Aircraft Hardware Kit needs once you begin building.

Read More About the Sonex Builders Workshop!

Find Area Lodging and Attractions!

See the Report From Our October Workshop!

Sonex Aircraft Hits 500 Completions with
Chris Madsen's Sonex First Flight!
11-19-14

Congratulations to Christopher Madsen of Huntsville, Alabama whose AeroVee powered, Standard Gear Sonex (S/N 1485) flew for the first time on September 23rd!

The addition of Chris's aircraft puts the Sonex Aircraft Completions Gallery at 500 reported first flights! While we know there are several more aircraft flying that have never been reported to us or who, like Chris, will pass along new their achievement to us at a later date, reaching 500 reported completions in our Sonex Builder Database is a major milestone for the entire Sonex Aircraft community. This is an achievement not only for Sonex Aircraft LLC, but also for each and every Sonex Aircraft builder who has added a first flight to this database, beginning with the very first customer Sonex completion by Tony Spicer, which took flight on June 2nd, 2000! Founded in 1998, seeing 500 examples of our designs fly in 14 years is impressive by any measure in the homebuilt aircraft industry, and we currently receive approximately 50 first flight reports every year!

"I'm extremely pleased with the performance and the economy and am enjoying the adventures I've had in the 22 hours I've flown so far," writes Chris. "The [T-Flight] transition training was great and helped me feel comfortable with the controls, sight picture, and take-off and landing from first flight on." Sonex Aircraft commemorates every first flight by issuing our Gold Wings pin exclusively to builders who have completed and flown their aircraft. Gold Wings are on the way to you, Chris!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Sonex First Flight: Terry Little
11-13-14

Congratulations to Terry Little of Fergus, Ontario, Canada whose AeroVee powered, Standard Gear Sonex (S/N 469) flew for the first time on October 10th! "10 October 2014 was THE day 'Looney Tunz,' my plans built, Sonex took to the air," writes Terry. "The first flight was just under an hour long and was performed by my good friend Colin King. I have to admit that I was a little jealous when Colin taxied up with that familiar ear to ear grin. He was more than impressed with the Aerovee performance and the Sonex handling. My thanks to Sonex for designing such a solid well performing plane." Gold Wings are on the way to Terry!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Sonex Builder Events: Perfect Weather Graces 12th Annual Great Southern Sonex Gathering
11-11-14

The 12th Annual Great Southern Sonex Gathering, hosted by Robert Barber, Mike Singleton and EAA Chapter 1531 was held on November  1st at Coulter Airfield in Bryan, Texas. "Absolutely perfect weather enhanced the gathering of our typical assembly of great Sonex people and beautiful Sonex aircraft," writes Mike Singleton. Twelve Sonex Aircraft were on display including nine Sonex of different configurations, one Onex and two Waiex. Several rides were given in these aircraft to current and prospective builders.

"As usual, the attendee travelling the greatest distance was Phillip Harper of Missouri who has never missed this event," Continues Mike. "Also, as is normal, Robert’s wife, Nina, and my wife, Connie, expertly and efficiently handled registration and greetings of attendees upon arrival." A presentation about the proper care and repair of wooden propellers was given by local propeller manufacturer Frank Johnson of Performance Propellers USA. Door prizes were donated by Sonex Aircraft LLC, Wicks Aircraft, Aircraft Spruce and Specialty and several individuals. "The top prizes included a headset from Wicks Aircraft, a T-Flight Transition Training certificate from Sonex Aircraft LLC and a Sonex Builder’s Workshop certificate from Sonex Aircraft LLC."

Sonex Aircraft would like to extend a huge thanks to Mike, Robert, and Chapter 1531 for keeping the GSSG grass-roots tradition alive and well for the 12th year!

Find More Builder Organizations and Events!

Waiex First Flight: Dwight Hoover
11-06-14

Congratulations to Dwight Hoover of Albany, Oregon whose VW powered, Tri-Gear Waiex (S/N W0145) flew for the first time on November 4th! "Very responsive on the controls and feels solid in the pattern," writes Dwight. "What a plane.... Just over 2 years from start to first flight. Special thanks to my long suffering wife Marcia and Kerry [Fores] at Sonex... Could not wipe the smile off of my face for an hour or so." Gold Wings are on the way to Dwight!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Waiex First Flight: Al Follendorf
11-06-14

Congratulations to Al Follendorf of Neenah, Wisconsin whose AeroVee powered, Standard Gear Waiex (S/N W0159) flew for the first time on October 10th! "Please pass on my appreciation to all the Sonex personel and thanks for such a great kit," writes Al. "My first flight was great. Having taken T-Flight training from Joe [Norris] and Tom [Helm], as soon as I lifted off, it felt just like the Waiex I had been training on, which made me more relaxed about my first flight and first solo since 1988. …I love the plane." Gold Wings are on the way to Al!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Sonex is Hiring: Seeking Aircraft Sales Representative with Passion for Homebuilts
11-03-14

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is creating a new full-time position dedicated exclusively to sales of our entire Sonex and AeroConversions product lines! We are seeking an energetic, self-motivated sales professional with prior GA aircraft sales experience and a passion for homebuilt aircraft. This position is based at Sonex factory headquarters in Oshkosh, WI and will require some travel with Sonex factory prototype aircraft. Download the full Job Posting. Application materials may be sent to hr@sonexaircraft.com (no phone calls accepted).