Sonex Holiday Hours
12-18-07

Sonex Aircraft will again be shutting down for the week between the Christmas and New Year holidays for year-end inventory and maintenance projects. We will not be answering phones between Monday, December 24th and Tuesday, January 1st.

We will still be checking e-mail during this period. Reponses may be delayed due to the large volume of year-end projects. The Sonex Web Store will, as always, be open for orders. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this will cause.

Pricing to Increase on Sensenich Props, Effective January 1, 2008
12-11-07

Sensenich Propeller has announced a price increase for their entire propeller product line that will apply to propeller orders that come in after January 1st, 2008. This price increase is due to an increase in raw material and labor cost. The last Sensenich price increase occurred in August of 2004. All orders placed between now and January 1, 2008 will be honored at the lower prices. See our Propellers Page for all current pricing and 2008 pricing on Sensenich props for Sonex Aircraft.

Special EAA Eagle Hangar Banquet Opportunity for February Sonex Workshop Attendees!
12-10-07

Space is still available for the February 2-3 Sonex Aircraft Builder Workshop, so sign-up today! February Workshop attendees receive a special treat: an opportunity to attend the EAA Chapter 252 annual banquet, held in the awe-inspiring EAA AirVenture Museum Eagle Hangar facility. Dining in the Eagle Hangar, among legendary warbirds is a privilege usually reserved for EAA board members or other VIP guests!

2007 EAA Chapter 252/Steve Wittman Chapter Banquet Guest Speaker: Greg Cayon, former Air Force One pilot. Greg is a past Air Force One pilot and flies as a corporate pilot for Kohler Corporation. Greg will share his experiences and stories from his days as a pilot for Air Force One.

Catered Dinner by LaSure’s at 7:00 pm: Carved Prime Rib and Turkey and all the trimmings! Come & join us for a memorable evening with Aviators, Airplanes, Food & Fun! Win great Door Prizes, and participate in the “Silent Auction” of Aviation Items!

Master of Ceremonies: John Monnett. Invited guests and aviation legends include: Paul & Audrey Poberezny, Gene & Dorothy Chase, Norm & Loretta Petersen, Bill Brennand, Munsil Williams.

Download Banquet_Flyer_2008.pdf (212kb PDF File) for more information!

Read More about Sonex Builder Workshops!

Sonex First Flight: Will Ouellette
12-05-07

Will and Pam Ouellette install the last ceremonial "golden rivet" prior to Sonex #747's first flight (above, right).

Congratulations to Will Ouellette of Maryville, Tennessee, whose AeroVee powered, Tri-Gear Sonex (S/N 747) flew for the first time on December 1.

"Many thanks to John Davis as mentor, supporter, builder, critic, pundit and chaser during the entire Sonex process - couldn't have done it without him," writes Will. "Thanks also to Robert Ely for his help with the build, especially the AeroVee. Thanks also to Robert for letting me get some fam rides in his Sonex and for lending me his airplane for my BFR - what a guy! And, of course, kudos to Frank Beeler, the EAA Tech Advisor who continually kept checking my construction progress and making sure the parts all fit together as intended."

"Best of all was the support from Sonex and most importantly, that of Kerry Fores. His advice, assistance and counsel made all the difference in the build and I couldn't have done it without Kerry and the Sonex staff. Further proof that the Sonex is the best experimental choice of all!"

Gold Wings are on the way to Will!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Waiex First Flight: Ray Krause
11-28-07

Congratulations to Ray Krause of Colusa, California, whose AeroVee powered, Standard Gear Waiex (S/N W0051) flew for the first time on November 21. "WHAT A HOOT!!!!" reported Ray. "After flying the J-3 for three years, it is like flying a fighter jet... Thanks to Eric Scheppers and his Red Devil for his great advise, encouragement and flight training. Thanks to all the folks at Sonex, esp Kerry! It is a fantastic kit and plane, and you Sonex people are the best there could possibly be!!!!!" Gold Wings are on the way to Ray!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

5th Annual Great Southern Sonex
Gathering Draws Record Crowd
11-16-07

This year's event attracted approximately 80 guests!

Event organizer Mike Singleton (foreground) and other Sonex pilots gave multiple demonstration flights.

The 5th Annual Great Southern Sonex Gathering was held at Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO) in Conroe, Texas, on Saturday, November 3rd. According to event organizer, Mike Singleton, it earned its name with all of the Great airplanes and Great people. Attendance was almost doubled from last year, as approximately 80 people were in attendance. Eight Sonex aircraft were present including those belonging to Norm Kirby, Bob Vossman, Billy Brock, Wes Ragel, Derrall McMillan, Ken Farris, Gene Fulmer and Mike Singleton.

Eighteen of the roughly 80 attendees have Sonex Aircraft in various stages of construction, meaning many potential new members of the Sonex family!

The statewide morning fog prevented early arrivals by most of the Sonex pilots so the number of rides given was limited to approximately fifteen people. However, rides were promised to those that could arrange the time to visit a nearby Sonex owner.

Door prizes were donated by local sources and by Sonex Aircraft, LLC. including tools, Sonex patches, pins, caps and shirts.

Mike Singleton had considerable help in organizing this year's event. "A few honorable mentions in addition to the Sonex pilots go to Phil Harper for his 5th annual pilgrimage from Springfield, Missouri; to Valerie Harper for giving rides in her Wittman Tailwind; to Ray Coker for all his help; to Berry Coppage for donating brisket (again); to Larry Perryman for use of his new hangar facilities; to Rachel Kress for assisting with the door prize drawings; to my grandson James for his help as roving photographer and because he’d be mad if I didn’t mention him; to the wives, families and friends for their tolerance of our addictions; to all those that pitched in to help when it was needed; and to all the rest who came to share their enthusiasm for Sonex aircraft," reported Mike.

The event  will likely continue to grow each year and bring more fine airplanes and wonderful people. Keep watching our Builders' Events Calendar for more grass roots Sonex events!

Submit your Builder Event to Sonex!

View the Sonex Aircraft, LLC Events Calendar

Waiex First Flight: George Barth
11-13-07

Congratulations to George Barth of Ponce Inlet, Florida, whose Jabiru 3300 powered, Tri-Gear Waiex (S/N W0035) flew for the first time on November 10. "It was a flawless first flight," wrote George. "What a great feeling to have something that you have created from pieces of metal to fly the way it does. Thanks to Sonex, what a great plane. To all you guys and gals out there don't give up. It sure is well worth the time and effort." Gold Wings are on the way to George!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Author of John Monnett Biography to be interviewed live on UltraFlight Radio
11-12-07

Sonex builder Jim Cunningham, author of John Monnett: from Sonerai to Sonex, will be interviewed live on UltraFlight Radio on Tuesday, November 13, at 11:20 am Central Time. The interview will also be archived on the UltraFlight Radio web site.

John Monnett: from Sonerai to Sonex is a 150 page biography of Sonex founder and President, John Monnett, which tells the inspiring story of the history behind Sonex Aircraft and AeroConversions products. Signed Copies are available directly from the Sonex Web Store!

Sonex Aircraft Holds 37th Builder Workshop
11-07-07

The 37th Sonex Aircraft, LLC Builder Workshop was held November 3-4 for another fantastic group of current and prospective Sonex Aircraft builders. Oshkosh, WI was graced with beautiful, crisp Fall flying weather and workshop attendees were again inspired by Sonex Aircraft fly-by's on both days. Attendees learned Sonex-specific metalworking skills with a hands-on metalworking project, and they were given information and instructional sessions on all aspects of Sonex Aircraft and AeroConversions products. As always, attendees reported finding the workshop very beneficial, including one individual with six previous homebuilt aircraft projects under his belt!

Space is still available for the February 2-3 Sonex Aircraft Builder Workshop, so sign-up today! February Workshop attendees receive a special treat: an opportunity to attend the EAA Chapter 252 annual banquet, held in the awe-inspiring EAA AirVenture Museum Eagle Hangar facility. Dining in the Eagle Hangar, among legendary warbirds is a privilege usually reserved for EAA board members or other VIP guests!

Sonex Employee Kerry Fores taxis-out to demonstrate his Sonex "Metal Illness" for workshop attendees.	Sonex Aircraft Builder Workshop attendees pore over every inch of factory prototype and customer-built Sonex Aircraft on-hand.
There must be something to Kerry's "Time Travel" article in Sport Aviation after all, as he tears a worm-hole in the early morning sky!	Jeremy rips around the pattern demonstrating the Sonex Sport Trainer during the workshop's gorgeous Fall flying weather.
Sonex Workshop attendees hard at work on thier Sonex metalworking project!	Kerry gives pointers on skinning Sonex Aircraft wings during Sunday's in-depth project overview session.

Read More about Sonex Builder Workshops

Sonex Aircraft make strong showing at Copperstate
11-05-07

Five customer-built Sonex Aircraft were flown into this year's Copperstate Regional EAA Fly-In, held October 23-26 in Casa Grande, Arizona, which was reported to be the best attended in years. Sonex Aircraft built and flown by Eric and Jennifer Scheppers (Sonex SN: 250), Elmer Smith and Mark Edwards (Sonex SN: 179), Scott Cannon (Sonex SN: 762), Dennis Burton (Sonex SN: 691) and Steve Pettyjohn (Sonex SN: 451) were all in attendance.

Although Sonex Aircraft, LLC does not have an official presence at the Copperstate Fly-In, our extra special thanks goes-out to Eric and Jennifer Scheppers, who unofficially represented Sonex at the Fly-In for the 5th year, handing-out Sonex and AeroConversions brochures, allowing folks to try-on their "Red Devil" Sonex, and making twice daily fly-by demonstrations, putting the performance of $100,000 LSA's being demonstrated at the show to shame! Eric reported more interest in Sonex Aircraft by the folks at Copperstate than ever before!

Steve Pettyjohn's Sonex #451

Dennis Burton's Sonex# 691

See the Calendar of Official Sonex Aircraft, LLC Events

View a Calandar of Sonex Aircraft Builder Events

Sonex and AeroConversions in the News: Joel Fuller and the AeroVee featured in Sport Aviation
11-01-07

Download the Article (472kb .PDF file)

Waiex builder Joel Fuller is featured, along with several other homebuilt aircraft builders, in the November issue of EAA's Sport Aviation magazine. "Homemade Horsepower" tells the stories of several builders who have built their own engines for experimental amateur built aircraft.

Joel's picture is featured as the article's opening spread and his experience building the AeroVee Engine Kit for his Waiex S/N 14 is included as a large portion of the article, illustrating why the AeroVee offers the absolute best performance and value per dollar in the experimental aircraft engine market today.

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