Sonex - Cost to Own

[@lorinmiller1682]

My Jab3300 powered Waiex I built (9 years ago) and hanger in the midwest (where hanger prices are generally more reasonable): Current Fixed Costs are $2700 per year, Variable Costs at $26 per hour. Total per hour at 50 hours per year comes in at $80 per hour ($4k per year), $53 per hour at 100 hours per year ($5300 per year). Keep in mind speeds quoted were probably at the 8000 feet altitude - most people don't usually fly these planes that high - so the price per mile will be effected, but it does provide a standardized measurement. Quoted build prices and purchase prices are dead on.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the He Waiex. Very much appreciated.

[@Twinjeremy]

Thank you for your input much appreciated. Would love to own a sonex.

[@misiexon5444]

I know that this might be a bit ridiculus but I've always wondered how much would it cost to own and operate an a320. You could do a video on that.

[@Fynnley525]

that would definitely be an interesting one

[@talljake]

That would certainly be a fun one! Personal fighter jets have already been covered, so sure why not 👍

[@jadefalcon001]

@@talljake And hey, it'd be more "practical" than a fighter! And who knows, maybe even cheaper, given that cost for a fighter is a distant third priority over combat ability and survivability.

[@talljake]

@@jadefalcon001 a320s for everyone! haha

[@ronniefnd]

I agree. Would be fun to learn to astronomical fuel consumption etc.

[@InternetDas]

6g home kit aircraft? Sounds good for the price.

[@AlexDenton0451]

Plenty of videos of loops and rolls on here too.

[@Ichibuns]

@@AlexDenton0451 My favorite is the guy that makes machine gun noises as he dives

[@sanukchiwit1986]

Always loved Sonex's simplicity. Do you think you could do a cost of ownership on their SubSonex mini jet?

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Yup!

[@Mike-01234]

Much higher the fuel burns also talking about a $130k experimental jet $60k in just the engine likely insurance is going to be a problem to get they don't like experimental anyway. Some who have deep pockets don't bother with hull insurance they just get liability which is cheap the mindset is if it's a crash that walk away from they can fix it themselves cheaper then buying insurance. If they don't walk away end up dead then who cares it's not going to be rebuilt anyway.

[@classonbread5757]

@@CompleteWalkaround So... How's that video coming along?

[@christiancoleman3023]

​@@classonbread5757 it was just uploaded here kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqGsp6GjorCCp8U

[@classonbread5757]

@@christiancoleman3023 I already saw it the moment of release 😎. Check my comment there

[@Grarder]

Sonex is always one of my favorite planes when I'm looking at what I could afford to get. I had no idea they were this cheap to own! Thanks for this!

[@monsenrm]

I own one with a Corvair car engine. It is very inexpensive. Insurance has run about $1300 a year. About 5galllons per hour at reasonable cruise.

[@javarenas]

What cruise speed? I know I can buy a sonex for the price of an io lycoming but man that vans r7 looks sexy too. And since I want light IFR capabilities, the r7 may be the way to go, tho some people have made a sonex light ifr. I live in cali we’re we get that thick radiation fog during the winter and low ceilings over costal airport throughout the year so ifr though not needed, would be prefere

[@monsenrm]

@@javarenas Hmmm, I am not sure about a Sonex for IFR. Sure, you could outfit it with all the gadgets necessary but especially an autopilot. The Sonex is not a hands off stable plane. You don’t have fine tuning of the elevator trim and any slight lateral difference in weight or whatever means you have to hold the stick to keep it wings level. I love the plane as a little fighter. There is nothing better than going up and doing loops, rolls and spins. I used to fly mine cross country on really long flights but I also have a Cessna 182 that took the place of the cross country plane. As far as cruise goes, well it all depends. If I fly at 125mph I can get fuel slippage to 4.8gph. If I go to 140+ cruise the fuel goes to 6.5gph. A Typical Sonex has a 16 gallon tank so flights under 250nm are best and even then I prefer less.

[@HECTORFARRA]

​@@javarenas Do you really want to fly IFR an airplane that small/light?

[@Twinjeremy]

Is that just liability insurance?

[@monsenrm]

@@Twinjeremy No it includes hull. I have it for $35,000.

[@AlexDenton0451]

Thanks so much! These numbers pretty much match what I’ve been researching myself, top notch work brother! This will probably be the first plane I own.

[@coasternut3091]

I watched a guy taxi in with one of these. Once he had it stopped, he got out, picked it up, and took it to its hanger

[@Cuccos19]

I would love to see a similar about the Colomban Cri-Cri... funky little aircraft (if you can buy or build one).

[@joshaby8795]

Loved the video lad! Would love to see one on the Mitsubishi MU-2

[@zv8732]

Yes! MU-2!!!!

[@elio067]

So dangerous airplane ✈

[@joshaby8795]

@@elio067 its not that dangerous

[@zv8732]

@@elio067 I work at an FBO, we hanger one for a client. It’s so beautiful and interesting to me, i love the engines. If you have ever heard it in person you know what i mean when i say it’s the loudest airplane you’ll ever hear.

[@jadefalcon001]

I am LOVING this series. You've earned another subscriber!

[@psanderbrand]

These kitplane videos are amazing! I'd love to see more of them!

[@miscellaneousstuff9031]

These videos helped me understand the pricing of planes and general aviation a lot more. I'm almost finished with my PPL and recently picked up a partially complete Sonex kit. Thank you!

[@maxcomis698]

Liking all these videos so the creator can fund his aviation dreams someday

[@isaacshultz8128]

Haha removing the wings is painful and I would do it unless absolutely necessary. Nice video though! I'd say another priority of sonex is ease of construction. It does not have many hard to fabricate parts in the kit and you can build it without buying a bunch of expensive tooling. I've got an aerovee powered sonex and I love it.

[@ericmwaba]

Please continue making more videos. They are a big help in guiding potential aircraft buyers

[@ryanraspotnik3962]

Loving the kit planes especially the budget ones, what about Zenith 701

[@johnnyboythepilot4098]

I too would love to see a Zenith!

[@marco.9900]

That plane was already mentioned, albeit briefly, in one of the videos, “Top 5 Bush Planes”.

[@evanpearce9818]

i would love see this for a Cessna 120/140.

[@brianmclellan1087]

I’m building a Onex now. Great cost analysis

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Nice! Good luck with the build

[@bignitro50]

Would love to see a video explaining the cost to own on a pa44 Seminole. With so many used for training around the world it'd be fun to see the individual cost.

[@beesoffury]

Just stumbled across your channel and I’ve got to say your videos are fantastic! Concise and to the point, and the animation and narration are top notch. Keep up the great work!

[@jakobc.2558]

Can you do a vid on a Autogyro? As they are usualy very small and can takeoff from basicly anywhere these should have a very low cost to run.

[@ozzypearson-leach4121]

Please can you do a video on operating the PA34 Seneca, perhaps compared to the PA32 Saratoga, as the PA34 is just a twin Saratoga in reality! Love your vids btw!

[@BoloH.]

I think this is cheaper to run than my car

[@jordansamson6071]

In 2022? Yeah

[@Fjord_Driver]

Don't forget to add in the cost of hotel stays, taxi/car rental, meals, etc if you actually use it to go places and spend the weekend with friends or family. For the cost of building one now, you might as well look at a shabby RV4 or RV6 on the used market. Far better travel platform on those. The Sonex A models are a joke if you are anything but the size of a toothpick. Forget about carrying passengers comfortably. It's essentially a one person plane. It sounds like a cheap tuna can on solid wheels when it lands. Firewall flexes like it is made from tin foil in some online videos. Used ones on Barnstormers are typically in the 25-35k price range.

[@Razeel23]

Please do the L-65 Seabear, thanks!

[@K03021817]

So I've never flown in an airplane, I will probably never own one but I do find this channel really informative some reason. I also build 737s which is mildly ironic. I'm interested it the super weird or expensive stuff. Also the super cheap stuff for maximum contrast

[@laxplayer99]

I'm probably going to sport pilot school next summer. I plan to build a mini-max, then save up some money and build a sonex.

[@desertornado]

Hi :) i love your videos cause they give a great idea of costs that aren't normally looked at! Could you please make a video about a high performance aerobatic plane like a common extra 330? I'd love to know the costs of that too! Once again, great job!

[@cellokid5104]

That overhaul cost is fucking bonkers

[@Optimus-Prime-Rib]

Do a Velocity XL next

[@tylerwright497]

Can you do a video on the sonex jsx jet please

[@ethanlegrand33]

I’ve always liked the Sonex planes. The biggest turnoff for me is the useful load since I’m a bigger person. But the high wing model looks like it could fix that problem and operating cost probably won’t be but 20% or so more than this version!

[@timyandow]

Where are you guys getting your insurance rates? Everyone I've talked to has said closer to $3,000 - $4,000 !!! Insurance is pricing people out of this market!!!

[@nickrockz97]

great video! love your channel, can you do an overview on the T-33 shooting star? saw one for sale for 180k, seems cheap for a high performance jet

[@toddwebb7521]

There's technically floats for a sonex/waiex if you really wanted them, although iirc they significantly reduce it's speed

[@zz89841]

Do you also do all the illustrations? Well done!

[@CompleteWalkaround]

I sure do! Thanks

[@itsRioluHD]

Would love to see a breakdown of costs for a Jabiru J230!!

[@danbuck84]

your vids are great! you should try a Phenom series, both the smaller ones and the bigger ones as well!! also... you should think of adding "yearly" and "hourly" to your sheets, like: Fixed Costs (yearly) ----- Variable Costs (hourly)

[@bottom-gun]

Do a Zenith Cruzer next!

[@zodiacmaster7043]

Can someone explain to me the difference between "purchase price" and "build price", i thought that the kit have everything you need aside to propeller and engine. I want to try build one but the jump of 35k to 60k is too big. Im asking here in the comments section becouse is kind of rare to see experimental airplanes here in Uruguay and there's no one to ask at least near to me

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Once kitplanes are built they can enter the second hand market just like any other plane. You can purchase a completed flying sonex from existing owners. So you can purchase a plane. You.can also build one. Building a sonex today will cost at least 60k before shipping. Probably more. It cost a little less when this video was made. Purchasing an existing sonex can be done for less.

[@zodiacmaster7043]

@@CompleteWalkaround A new one is out of my range then, second hand looks dangerous but it's my only option. Thanks for the data 👍.

[@NickW6400]

Hello, I have been watching since your first video. I am purchasing in June and these have saved me lots of time. The only other two aircraft I'm looking at are the cherokee 140, 150, and 160. If you could do those id be Eternally Grateful

[@benthecaptain7419]

Awesome video! C185 amphibian next please!

[@jordansamson6071]

I love this channel so much

[@CoreyJones314]

Love these videos! I'd love to see one on the Pipistrel Virus SW IS.

[@daisukehayashi9989]

This channel is really nice! I'd like to see Flight Design CTSW!!

[@satriyakristantowicaksono1714]

nice video! please do magnus fusion 212, it's an aerobatic aircraft too

[@TheKhakikid]

Dude keep those videos coming!

[@larcenxavier9292]

I would like to see a video done of the cost of a Cessna 337 skymaster it has always been a dream plane of mine to own

[@seantierney3]

I like seeing some of the affordable options out there. I wonder how a taylorcraft or an ercoupe would compare.

[@lesliefarr4758]

I'd like to see a video about the cost to own a Cirrus Vision JET

[@osint1on1]

Love your videos!!!! Can you do one for a Velocity Single please? Happy New Year!!!!

[@milan1200]

I’m at the point where I click “Like” before I’ve seen the video 😂

[@DudeManBoroMan]

Now what about the Sonex Jet?

[@DUBaviator]

Would love a video on the G650ER.

[@stealhty1]

Excellent ,thx for such of great info

[@ps3songs]

Love your videos! Can you make a video on the Rutan Long EZ?

[@Warjax-f3b]

Would love to see one on owning and operating a DC-3/C47 or PBY Catalina

[@mtcondie]

Thank you for your videos!

[@vegaparadox]

Love what you're doing man! You should review a helicopter sometime, that'd be cool. Something like the AS350 or a Jetranger.

[@LukasKT]

Love your vids!!! Could you please do one about the sd1 Minisport?

[@Ibrahimarm]

Would you do a cost of ownership on the Davis DA-2? It should have more space than a Sonex but fly similar.

[@ЭмильСибгатов-и6я]

Waiting for Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 cost review

[@ToggerstheFroggers]

Love these videos my guy, and I would like to know about the Zenith 750 STOL non SD because the numbers I can find never match eachother. (That and I really wanna build one myself :)

[@TheRecreationalPilot]

Please do a Piper Tomahawk

[@Enlightenment_2025]

U should have compared this with Zenith CH650 B.

[@Sarruji]

Please, if possible, do the Epic E1000.

[@rafasaviation4899]

Can you do a Carbon cub SS cost ownership? Btw love your vids 👍

[@yavoz.]

Great video

[@Michael-xo8lw]

excellent video

[@turtleboi-dz9jm]

please do the DR400!

[@mwp1088]

Seems to good to be true....whats the catch with these planes? Low useful load it?

[@guyhunter4313]

Lancair rly any of the old model like the 230 320 360 or the iv series.

[@ca_pilot]

Awesome, now do the Twin Comanche :)

[@matthewkaiser7803]

Do you have plans to examine the BD-5 yet?

[@robinschingen6757]

Can you do the Titan T51 Mustang or an other P51 parts kit?

[@whaletales3705]

COULD YOU DO COST TO OWN A AIR TRACTER? AT802

[@garyyoung4074]

Anyone ever ask about putting small floats on a Sonex and maybe the Rotax 915 or 16?

[@bowenbrown]

Do the most affordable planes top 5.

[@miggymiranda4220]

Hi! Can you do one of these for a Mitsubishi MU2 Marquise? :)

[@billylozito1789]

how about a Zenith CH750 Cruzer with a Corvair engine?

[@tristang4138]

does the load in your video include an estimated pilot weight, or empty load?

[@CompleteWalkaround]

I just say useful load. That's the gross weight, minus the empty weight. Pilots not included

[@tristang4138]

@@CompleteWalkaround ty

[@victorsullivan7238]

This video is going to cause the 3 used sonex on trade a plane to get brought

[@CompleteWalkaround]

I hope so. Someone could get some use from those old girls 🙂

[@2k7u]

1092km range is pretty amazing for all I know so I won't judge its odd appearance :)

[@kcedd_a]

How about the new Honda private beginner jet plane

[@ryanm.191]

this isnt an airplane, its a sky motorcycle small, not luxurious, not suitable to get groceries in but damn its fun to mess around with

[@ronniefnd]

Well said.

[@TechViewOpinions]

This is looking good

[@twingo6594]

Wonder what the cost of ownership for a pby Catalina would be

[@jesseoneill1831]

awaiting the Sonex Jet Video

[@camduguid7378]

do a seaplane

[@showlogisticsllc5109]

can you do a sonerai?

[@JoeCnNd]

They just increased the price of the kit to 50k. I remember this being 25k just a few years ago and it's already doubled.

[@CompleteWalkaround]

🙁

[@mebf1093]

How about the cost to own a warbird plane?

[@davidgolden6068]

How about Velocity XL at some point?

[@CompleteWalkaround]

Yup, will get to that one

[@peterrestaino7047]

how about kolb fire fly and an aerolight 103

[@Ichibuns]

About as expensive as a riding mower lol

[@spencerbrown3875]

I want to know the price to own a King Air 350.

[@pilotken784]

How about a sonex jet,

[@queeny5613]

Awesome

[@calebgarcia4557]

Tecnam p2006?

[@françois-sonex]

oui très bien cette vidéo, mais en France on dit ; quand on aime on ne compte pas ! et je n'ai pas compté pour mon Waiex

[@CompleteWalkaround]

On dit ca au Canada aussi!