100HP+ Good News for Heavy Pilots! Gross Weight Increase at Sonex Aircraft

[@dmisner100]

Another good video filled with information! Good to hear about the progress of the High Wing prototype. I think that model is going to be very popular!

[@HowardWright-og6mw]

You Think? Only been waiting 2 decades. My youngest son is 25 now. Maybe he'll get to fly one.

[@atcdevin]

Thank you for making this video! I own Legacy A model with a Camit 3300. This will up my useful load from 449 to 519 pounds!! A very welcome increase.

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

AWESOME! Happy to hear that! Remember to do your own testing and see what your numbers end up being! 🙂

[@jeffreysmith6910]

Fantastic work getting Mark and Sonex on right after the announcement. It’s also great to see a company that is adding utility to an existing design and the owners. Does Sonex have any plans for the Xenos or Onex?

[@PghGameFix]

Now that mark is in charge.... we need Sonex to not get mad at the guys who put a Corvair on the front of it.

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

MOST... manufacturers turn their nose up a bit trying to install ANY powerplant outside of the original design. Not all... but most. As you know weight is a HUGE factor on any Airplane design. But even more "sensitive" on such small and light Aircraft. And they are only going to provide FFW "Parts" for options they want to promote of course (usually based on the sales predicted for a particular installation).

[@SonexLLC]

@@ExperimentalAircraftChannel @PghGameFix I'm definitely not "mad" at people with Corvair installations, but we still do have a 200 lbs. FWF installation weight limit for the aircraft. If you're going to install a Corvair or something else with that heavier installation weight, you have to make the weight & balance work. Now you have a little more latitude to do that. Don't look for us to make engine mounts for the Corvair, however -- that's not likely to happen.

[@jetmech88]

@@SonexLLC I had assumed there was a structural component to the 200 lb FWF limit. Is it strictly a W&B issue?

[@SonexLLC]

@@jetmech88 Yes, it's mostly a weight & balance issue -- within reason! Bolt something too heavy or massively powerful to the fuselage and it could also be a structural issue, of course.

[@monsenrm]

I have a Corvair powered Sonex in Experimental category. If you go up and practice stalls, you get disappointed with full flaps. As he said there is no break and just a mushy buffet. The clue you are stalled is the VSI. You are coming down like a piano. Now flaps up there is a bit of a break. Power on stalls, is a different animal. When it breaks, and it really breaks, the ground suddenly is over your head!

[@acobra67]

Would like to know more about a Corvair powered Sonex. Do you have a YT channel where you discuss it? I'd like to buy or build a Sonex, just wanting to look at engine options other than the Aerovee.

[@richardturner6278]

Hey Brian great video as always! Hey what's the chance you could go "bug" my neighbor Jon Humberd and update everyone on his projects. I know he gave us an update a few weeks ago but thought I would try and twist your arm to go see him again. Lol

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

GREAT IDEA! I'll have to inquire. I see most of his updates lately are filtered through Kitplanes.... not sure if he is "exclusive" or not (I would hope not). But I will inquire. I plan to travel up through TN within the next 30 days for some ENGINE WEEK content. 🙂

[@richardturner6278]

@@ExperimentalAircraftChannel cool man. I live over in middle TN but I have family in Cleveland TN really close to Jon. I farm just like he does and he inspired me to quit dreaming and do it. I'm planning a 701 build hopefully in the near future. I cant tell you how many times I like to go back and watch the original videos when you were there. Thanks Brian for all you do .

[@ronaldscott6169]

has anyone put an edge performance motor in one of these particularly the 120 HP 4 cylinder

[@singingzone3056]

Very good❤ Lots of love from INDIA

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

Thanks for saying HI from INDIA!

[@singingzone3056]

I always see your videos❤

[@gokartmozart1567]

when does the highwing come out

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

Hopefully... next year? But I know they won't announce that until all flight testing and "tweaking" are completed.

[@SoloRenegade]

RV-15 hasn't even come out yet and they had a head start.

[@PatrickDuffy-u3s]

I just acquired a Sonex A-model, glad to hear these changes apply.

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

Nice! Lucky you! I wish I could "aquire" more and more Aircraft too!! 😂

[@DanFrederiksen]

Sonex should make a copy of the Risen, could be fixed windshield, smaller door and thin aerodynamic fixed gear and no flaps to keep it simple yet still have as amazing performance. Carbon fiber of course. If there is such huge opportunity for awesome planes, why limit themselves to the very kit Sonex-B

[@devonlove9095]

Why they already have too many project in the works.

[@DanFrederiksen]

@@devonlove9095 this one would actually matter. could make them a major success.

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

I don't see them moving into "composites" any time soon. They sort of pride themselves in Sheet Metal. :-)

[@garymyers6638]

I'd be more interested in them increasing width than weight. It seems like so many of the people I know that like to fly, we are all bigger than the 5' 9" 150 pound folks they design these for. We all complain about mashing shoulders together or having ZERO room inside the aircraft. It's a thing. It's a real thing. 6 inches more width would make a gigantic difference but really, 8 would be better.

[@SoloRenegade]

frontal area drag is real, be ok with that when you ask for bigger cockpits. you will fly slower, and the aircarft will cost more. Bigger airframe = more weight More weight = bigger wings Bigger wings = more weight More weight = slower, less payload, bigger engines. And most people don't fit not because they are "too big", but because they are fat. People need to start losing weight. Also, look at experimental airplanes from the early decades. Most had a single seat and 10lb pilot weight limits. Things have already gotten bigger many times already.

[@bryancotton7279]

Van's has an RV14 kit ready for you!

[@jhaedtler]

Most designs fly better and faster is a slightly aft CG. Cessna 180 are real fast in aft CG

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

Agreed! :-)

[@glsracer]

My question is when will a 4 seat Sonex be developed? 2 seats does me no good most of the time and another high wing 2 seater seems like a solution looking for a problem.

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

Ironically... post pilot logged time is solo. Followed by bringing a passenger to share the fun experience. Then... a family wagon. Also more affordable entry point (for most). But who knows.... maybe if Mark keeps growing his company that could be an option one day. I'd be first inline to see the unveiling if so! 😊

[@SoloRenegade]

@@ExperimentalAircraftChannel but to be fair, I'm looking for a 4 seater too. More people are finding more uses for their planes that require more seats. Historically nearly all experimental were 1 seaters. then came 2 seaters, and now we're seeing more 4 seaters (BD4c, RV-10, Bearhawks, Sling 4, etc.) Experimental is overtaking certified light aircraft, and people need viable alternatives to the Cessna 172 and 182, Piper Cherokees, etc.

[@bryancotton7279]

Van's has an RV10 kit for you. Or a classic PA28/C172 would fit the bill too!

[@glsracer]

@@bryancotton7279 yeah, I considered RV10s but they have bloated in price over the last few years. I'm considering BD4s, Beechcraft Sierras, Rockwell TC Commanders, Cessna 172s and 177s. You couldn't pay me to own or ride in a Piper PA28 derivative.

[@BrookD195]

How bout the Jabiru 3300

[@glsracer]

They said in the video that the extra weight limit may allow use of the Jabiru 3300 but I'm not sure why anyone would unless they just happened to have one laying around.

[@ExperimentalAircraftChannel]

​@@glsracerthe 3300 has already been WIDELY used in this platform and for MANY years. As a 6 Cylinder, it is much heavier than their engine (The Aerovee). Just saying you have more of an envelope now with them officially stating the engineering confirms this weight limit.

[@glsracer]

​@@ExperimentalAircraftChannelyeah, I knew it had been used and now basically gets approval for use in the Sonex. My point was why would you use a Jabiru engine (especially one that heavy) if you could use the aerovee turbo, the UL260, or a Rotax?

[@SoloRenegade]

@@glsracer some people don't want a Turbo. People have had the 3300 option for Years before the turbo came along. 6cyl runs smoother than 4cyl, etc. Some people find the 3300 more reliable.

[@glsracer]

@@SoloRenegade fair enough, it just seemed that Jabiru fell out of favor due to reliability issues and being overweight.

[@Cowboy.underwater]

After about 20 years of owners doing this anyway. . .