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Sonex Aircraft News Archive
January-February, 2015

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Please note that links on older archive pages are often not active. These pages serve purely as an informational archive. If you have trouble obtaining the information you need from this site, please email the webmaster with your questions.

First SubSonex Kit Delivered!
New JSX-2 Pilots Minted; Bob Carlton Receives JSX-2 Low-Level Waiver; New Videos Posted!
02-16-15

The first SubSonex Ultra-Quick
Build Kit, ready to ship!

The SubSonex kit fits nicely inside the
optional Triton TC 167 trailer

Sonex Aircraft is excited to report the achievement of several major milestones in the SubSonex Personal Jet program during the month of February: The first SubSonex kit shipped from the Sonex factory; Four new SubSonex model JSX-2 pilots were minted in Moriarty, NM; and Bob Carlton received his Low-Level Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) card for the SubSonex, in-preparation for the 2015 air show season!

First SubSonex Kit Delivered:
On Thursday, February 12th, the first SubSonex kit left Sonex Aircraft headquarters in Oshkosh, destined for customer Redge Greenberg of Durango, Colorado. The Ultra-Quick Build Kit was transported in the optionally available Triton TC 167 enclosed trailer by Sonex staff to Greenberg's home.

This week, two more kits will be delivered to customers in Ontario Canada and Pennsylvania, with kit deliveries to Missouri, Kentucky, and Oklahoma to follow next week. The seventh kit will be delivered to New South Wales, Australia via 20' ocean container. Orders are now being accepted for the second run of SubSonex Quick Build Kit production, to commence in August, 2015.

SubSonex JSX-2 Pilot Population Increases by 400 Percent:
During the weekend of February 1st, four new pilots became qualified to fly SubSonex JSX-2. Sonex Aircraft President John Monnett and Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett travelled to Moriarty, New Mexico to join Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Bob O'Haver and BonusJet flight instructor Billy Hill in making their first flights in SubSonex JSX-2 and subsequent qualifying flights for SubSonex permanent Letters of Authorization (LOA).

On Saturday, all four pilots made their first flights of SubSonex JSX-2, all four with diverse flying backgrounds from highly-experienced jet pilots O'Haver and Hill, to JSX-1 qualified pilot John Monnett, to piston Sonex pilot Jeremy Monnett, who recently completed the BonusJet training program. Remarkably, all four flights looked nearly identical, which is a testament to SubSonex JSX-2's outstanding flying qualities.

Bob Carlton Prepares for 2015 Air Show Season in JSX-2:
Airshow pilot and SubSonex Chief Test Pilot Bob Carlton has been practicing a new air show routine in SubSonex JSX-2 for the 2015 season! Currently booked at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 and the 2015 Rocky Mountain Air Show with more show dates pending, Carlton has put-together a SubSonex show unparalleled by jet acts of the past including maneuvers such as tail slides (usually taboo in a jet), hammerheads and non-stop action with tight turns inside the typical piston aircraft air show box. Carlton has been practicing the show extensively over the past month, and obtained his Low-Level Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) card for the SubSonex on February 12th in Phoenix, Arizona.

See Today's Press Release!
Much more information about all of the above events can be read in today's official press release.

New Videos!
Four exciting new SubSonex videos were also released today on the Sonex Aircraft YouTube Channel:

Read More about the SubSonex!

Sonex Employee Anniversaries:
Heather Zahner Celebrates 10 Years of Service!
02-11-14

Congratulations to Heather Zahner, who celebrates her 10-year employment anniversary at Sonex Aircraft, LLC this month! 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's Manager of Customer Service, Accounting and Human Resources.

Jabiru USA Announces Spring Engine Sale!
02-10-15

Jabiru Spring Engine Sale:
Jabiru 2200 Sale Price: $14,000
Jabiru 3300 Sale Price: $18,400

(Online Ordering)

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PDF Order Form

Jabiru USA has recently announced a Spring Engine Sale for Jabiru 2200 and 3300 engines, and Sonex Aircraft, LLC is passing along the same pricing offer for Sonex Aircraft kit customers! Purchasing your Jabiru engine through Sonex Aircraft, LLC provides the value-added benefit of the Sonex/Jabiru Universal Baffle Kit and Installation Guide, a $250 value!

The following prices are available until April 30th, 2015:

Jabiru 2200:
Regular Price: $15,500
Sale Price: $14,000

Jabiru 3300:
Regular Price: $19,900
Sale Price: $18,400

See the Jabiru Spring Engine Sale flyer from Jabiru USA!

Sonex also recommends upgrading your Jabiru engine installations with the AeroConversions AeroInjector. Read more about the AeroInjector's performance in the Jabiru 3300 powered Sonex with the article "The $35 Hamburger" by Sonex Aircraft's own Kerry Fores!

Space is Still Available:
Sonex Builders Workshop, March 7-8, 2015!
02-04-15

Interested in building a Sonex Aircraft? Space is still available for 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, and allows you to bring a guest to the Workshop for free. 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.

Read About Our Workshops and Transition Training in Kitplanes Magazine!
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. The article is now available for free download from our web site: Read it Today!

Kitplanes Editor-in-Chief Paul Dye also made his first visit to the Sonex Aircraft campus last summer, going-through our T-Flight Transition Training course with Chief Flight Instructor Joe Norris. The experience impressed Paul so much that he and his wife decided to buy a Xenos Motorglider kit! Read Paul's article about T-Flight, "Getting a Good Start" as a free download from our web site!

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.

Find Area Lodging and Attractions!

See the Report From Our October Workshop!

Sonex Aircraft in the News:
Download and Read about Sonex Workshops,
T-Flight Training, and Kip Laurie's Waiex!
01-31-15

Read about Kip Laurie's well-traveled homebuilt in "The 48 State Waiex" (EAA Sport Aviation: January, 2015)
Read about Sonex Workshops in "Building Before Buying" (Kitplanes: January, 2015)	Read about T-Flight Transition Training in "Getting a Good Start" (Kitplanes: February, 2015)

Sonex Aircraft has enjoyed a lot of great press over the past two months, with three feature articles between the January and February issues of EAA Sport Aviation magazine and Kitplanes magazine! All three articles are now available for PDF download from our web site, generously furnished by both publications as free content.

In the January issue of EAA Sport Aviation, Waiex builder Kip Laurie was featured in "The 48 State Waiex" by Budd Davisson. The feature follows Kip through his homebuilding journey with construction of his Waiex S/N: W0082 and his subsequent long cross-country journeys in the aircraft -- flying coast-to-coast, then touching-down in all 48 lower states!

Kitplanes writer Scott Spangler paid us a visit last June to attend our Sonex Builder Workshop seminar, experiencing the informative hands-on class first-hand, interviewing attendees and photographing the event. Read his article, "Building Before Buying" today, and book your attendance at our next Workshop!

Kitplanes Editor-in-Chief Paul Dye also made his first visit to the Sonex Aircraft campus last summer, going-through our T-Flight Transition Training course with Chief Flight Instructor Joe Norris. The experience impressed Paul so much that he and his wife decided to buy a Xenos Motorglider kit! Read Paul's article about T-Flight, "Getting a Good Start" now!

Find More Articles about Sonex and AeroConversions Products!

New from Sonex: Stratomaster iEFIS Discovery Lite 7"
01-28-15

Sonex/Stratomaster
iEFIS Discovery Lite Packages:

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Or use our Instrument Order From
for Mail or Fax orders.

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is pleased to announce the availability of the new MGL Stratomaster iEFIS Discovery Lite! The iEFIS Discovery Lite 7" instrument is an all-in-one EFIS that is a revolution in simplicity, but harnesses the full power of the iEFIS system.

The MGL Avionics "Lite" series products are straight forward to install and make great panels for many smaller aircraft that would like a sophisticated EFIS without the cost and complication of a large system. The Discovery Lite includes a built-in AHRS sensor capable of working with variable panel installation angles, and Sonex/Discovery Lite packages come with Sonex-specific equipment and features.

The MGL iEFIS Discovery Lite, Explorer, and the Stratomaster XTreme are also now offered with the optional Trig TT22 Remote Mode S Encoding Transponder, which can be controlled by the insrument via the RS-232 port. An available upgrade from the Sandia Mode C transponder option, the Trig TT22 offers Mode S and 1090ES ADS-B Out capability for those looking to prepare for future NextGen ATC requirements.

Find Out More about the Stratomaster iEFIS Discovery Lite 7", as well as other Instrument Packages and Accessories offered by Sonex Aircraft, from our Instruments page.

Sonex Aircraft Exhibits AeroVee Turbo Powered Sonex Sport Acro at Sebring 2015!
01-24-15

After trying weather caused delays along the flight down from Oshkosh, Chief Flight Instructor Joe Norris arrives in Sebring on Friday of the show with the AeroVee Turbo powered Sonex Sport Acro.

With some sun and the arrival of weather-delayed airplanes airplanes, the crowds turned-out to end Sebring on a high note for Friday and Saturday.

Despite some less-than ideal weather, Sonex Aircraft concluded a successful showing at the 2015 Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo last weekend. The four-day event got off to a slow start on Wednesday and Thursday with weather throughout the country and on the field keeping people and exhibitor aircraft away, including our own AeroVee Turbo powered Sonex Sport Acro. Sonex Chief Flight Instructor Joe Norris concluded a 4-day trip full of weather delays, finally arriving with the Sport Acro on Friday. Once the aircraft arrived along with the day's sunny weather, however, people swarmed to get a look at the AeroVee Turbo! Builder Kirk Snader also arrived on Friday, displaying his Waiex S/N: W0041 in our booth. Our special thanks to Kirk for making his beautifully-constructed aircraft part of our Sebring display.

In addition to Joe Norris, company founders John and Betty Monnett also manned the Sebring booth, and enjoyed visiting with the many current customers who stopped-by while meeting several prospective new members of the Sonex family at the show. John Monnett presented a forum on each day of the show, which attracted an average of 25-30 audience members each -- a decent crowd for the level of attendance at Sebring.

Joe's flight in the AeroVee Turbo powered Sport Acro also afforded an opportunity to gather more cross country cruise data for the new engine. From Joe: "So now for the good stuff. The numbers. I know this is what you all want to see! And the numbers are good! Weather didn't allow me to get up really high, so most of the legs were between 2500 and 3500 MSL. I ran what I consider a normal cruise power setting for the turbo - 3100 rpm, which ends up being about 28 inches MAP. At that power setting, leaned to 1350 degrees on the EGT, I was truing out at 145 mph and burning just about 5 gph! CHT was around 360 to 370 degrees. Oil temp varied due to the changes in OAT. I had the cooler covered up with tape when I left OSH, and even then only got about 135 on the oil temp. It gradually came up as I made it south, and finally got up to about 165 (with the cooler uncovered) as I came into Sebring." Note that this aircraft is currently fitted with our "climb" propeller selection for the AeroVee Turbo on Sonex, Waiex and Onex airframes.

The Sport Acro is now hangared in Lakeland, awaiting the Sun 'n Fun show in April, so no worries about weather -- the AeroVee Turbo Sport Acro will be available for all to see during the entire week at Sun 'n Fun!

Betty Monnett mans the booth at Sebring 2015, just waiting for nice weather, airplanes and people to finally arrive on Friday!	Special thanks to Kirk Snader for showing his beautifully constructed Waiex S/N: W0041 in our booth on Friday and Saturday!
Although limited in cruise altitude by the weather, the trip afforded an opportunity to collect some really good cruise numbers on the Turbo AeroVee/Sonex Sport Acro installation!