Sonex Completes 44th Builder Workshop!
02-11-10

Sonex Aircraft hosted a very large group of enthusiastic current and prospective builders at our 44th Sonex Aircraft Builder's Workshop on February 6-7. The group constructed sample Sonex metalworking projects, received detailed informational sessions about Sonex, Waiex and Xenos Aircraft, engine options, AeroConversions products, and all other aspects of building, owning and operating Sonex Aircraft.

Despite typical Wisconsin winter weather, there were opportunities to display Sonex Aircraft prototypes in a few fly-by's on both days. Guest speakers included Joe Norris, of EAA headquarters staff, and Bob Mackey, administrator of the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan. On Saturday evening, many Workshop attendees took the opportunity to attend the EAA Chapter 252 annual banquet held in the EAA AirVenture Museum's Founder's Gallery.

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 May 1-2, 2010. Sign-up Today!

John Monnett gives a walk-around presentation pointing-out Sonex Aircraft's major design features.	Workshop attendees take a tour of the Sonex warehouse, inspecting all available kit parts.
John gives a metalworking demonstration, using the band saw.	Workshop attendees get to work on their sample Sonex metalworking projects.
Betty and Jeremy Monnett present John Monnett Sr. with a cake for his 99th birthday!	Workshop attendees working together on their wing spar/leading-edge project.
John gives a demonstration about building Sonex tail surfaces, along with other construction tips.	Workshop attendees were given a special treat: a SubSonex jet prototype ground run demo!

Learn More About Sonex Builder Workshops!

Hayward Air Rally Looking for Sonex Competitors!
02-09-10

The organizers of the 46th annual Hayward Air Rally are seeking Sonex Aircraft owners and pilots to join-in as competitors for this year's event, June 11-12, 2010. The Rally is a 500-mile VFR cross-country challenge competition touring the San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California, and Central Oregon. Rally organizers have indicated that a dedicated "Best Sonex Aircraft" award may be created if enough Sonex pilots enter the challenge. For more information, visit: http://www.hwdairrally.org

New Sonex Competitive Comparison Sheet:
Measure Us Against the Competition!
02-05-10

Shopping for a new kit aircraft project? Read our new Competitive Kit Plane Comparisons (103kb PDF File) to see how we stack-up against the RV-12, CH 650 and Rans S-19! See how Sonex Aircraft offers the Best Performance Per Dollar in the kit aircraft industry today!

Sonex Builders Workshop attendees can now receive free crating on the purchase of a Sonex, Waiex or Xenos Tail Kit.

Find Out More About Sonex Workshops!

Sonex Aircraft in the News:
Sonex Featured on February EAA Sport Aviation Cover;
AeroConversions AeroVee Engine Kit Also Featured
02-03-10

2010 marks a bold new look for EAA Sport Aviation magazine, and Sonex Aircraft is proud to have a daring, unconventional, and very fun cover shot gracing the cover of the magazine's February issue! The Jim Koepnick remote photograph of Sonex Founder and President John Monnett having a blast making smoke in the Sonex Sport Acro illustrates "The Write Stuff," an article by Marvin Homsley about skywriting. The Sport Acro uses our own AeroConversions Smoke System, available for $220.

February Sport Aviation also features the AeroVee Engine Kit in the article "VW Powerplants" by Tim Kern. The article is a broad overview of the design considerations driving VW aircraft conversions, and some of the choices offered by established VW conversion manufacturers such as our own AeroConversions product line, giving Power to the Sport Pilot!

Find More Articles about Sonex and AeroConversions products!

Sonex Tool Videos Available Online!
01-29-10

Sonex Aircraft, LLC now has a 3-part video series discussing the tools recommended to build a Sonex, Waiex or Xenos.

Watch the Sonex Tool Videos!

For a complete listing of tools recommended to build Sonex Aircraft, see the Sonex Required Tools Page. For more video resources for Sonex Aircraft builders, see our Sonex Video Tips Page.

Sonex First Flight: Jim Lewis
01-25-10

Congratulations to Jim Lewis of Harrison, ACT, Australia whose Standard Gear, AeroVee powered Sonex (S/N 988) flew for the first time on January 25! "I am very happy to report that my Sonex took to the air for the first time today," writes Jim. "It flew extremely well and the AeroVee really surprised me with its get up and go.  The ease of landing also surprised me - it was a greaser!" Gold Wings are on the way!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Read Our New Competitive Comparison:
Sonex vs. the RV-12!
01-19-10

Shopping for a new kit aircraft project? Read our first in a series of new competitive kit plane comparisons: Sonex vs. the RV-12 (313kb PDF File). Find out why many former RV drivers are considering Sonex as their Sport Pilot aircraft of choice!

Sonex Aircraft in the News:
John Monnett Profiled by Flight International
01-19-10

Flight International Magazine/FlightGlobal.com features Sonex Aircraft, LLC Founder and President John Monnett in their monthly biography interview installment. The article "Working Week: The aircraft as a work of art" profiles John's background in art and his philosophy for desinging and building aircraft.

Find More Articles about Sonex and AeroConversions products!

Onex Progress Update Posted to Hornets' Nest
01-08-10

Steady progress has been made on the Onex since it was publicly announced last July at the AirVenture Fly-In. We've completed the designs of the spar, wing panel layout including wing skins, wing ribs/rib tooling, hinge and pin release mechanism, and aileron bellcrank assembly. The tail design is also complete along with the high-level aft fuselage layout. The landing gear has been designed and is being manufactured.

The basic construction is nearly identical to the Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos. Primary structure is 6061-T6 aluminum with blind stainless steel rivets used throughout with the exception of the main spar assembly. This allows for the same light, efficient structure. The same tools used on Sonex construction will also be used for the Onex. Since it's a smaller aircraft in every respect, you'll use all these tools less and obviously have a lower build time. Laser-cut and hydraulic formed parts as well as the increased use of machined parts are being utilized to reduce part counts and keep project costs down. Read More!

Learn more about Hornets' Nest R&D Projects

Sonex Aircraft in the News:
SubSonex Project Featured by WIRED magazine!
01-05-10

An article featuring the SubSonex jet aircraft project has been posted to the Autopia section of WIRED magazine's web publication today!

Find More Articles about Sonex and AeroConversions products!