Sonex Waiex B, Part 22, 2023 build rap up, including fitting the new canopy latch

[@johnjensen2217]

Great video. Thanks for all the detail of the latching system. That was one part of the Sonex build that I did not have a clear understanding of from other videos & blogs. You have made tremendous progress in the first year. Have a great holiday and happy new year!

[@pandyseven]

Hi John, It does come with a great deal of respect to you that you are very involved in this project, and believe you are also commenting on Gavins channel to. It’s a real honour you take the time to comment and provide feedback that not only helps, but boosts morel, so I /we can produce better content, so for that thanks John. If I had my time over, I would have filmed this entire process with more detail but did start out as a reference for me as part the build log requirements. I find it a bit surreal to go back and look at those stupid things and mistakes I made, sometimes quite embarrassing. I plan to take this process from build to fly, something that will keep me busy in my retirement. Thanks again John and hope to chat soon.

[@seanmarchant4032]

Been following your build since the start. I love watching your channel. Can’t wait to see the finished product. Amazing job!!!

[@pandyseven]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@gavinssonexb]

Hi Andy, Seasons Greetings from Katie & I in the Charente Maritime. I'm impressed with the progress you're making and the quality of your build - Excellent ! 😀 - I had considered the Peter Anson Canopy Latch, It looks very well made and I like the action. I didn't buy one in the end because I was worried it would impede the operation of the AeroConversions throttle lever. Keep up the good work, enjoy the festive break and I look forward to the next instalment in the New Year - Cheers, Gavin 😊

[@pandyseven]

Hi Gavin, I do hope both you and Katie get a break of the Christmas period. You are 100% correct that the door latch interferes with the supplied Aerovee throttle, something I worked out after I fitted the latch. That said, I was never truly happy with how the throttles looked anyway, so it was back to the drawing board for throttle location. I will more than likely only have only one throttle on the pilot side [ currently where the mixture goes] something from aircraft Spruce. If I can work out a slave system I will then put in an additional throttle on the right. That leaves the mixture and it looks like i will need to put it central to the instrument panel, between the 2 eyeball vents...watch this space. Thanks again for your input, and cat soon.

[@dan_der_flieger]

Thanks for the mention, Andy. That door latch looks really nice. I'll have to have a look at it. I don't like the stock locking mechanism and I was toying with the idea of designing something more elegant. Good to know someone else has also thought about it. I haven't looked at the throttle quadrant placement that Gavin mentioned on my plans yet. Can the quadrant just be mounted lower to make space for the upgraded canopy latch? Hopefully a simple solution is possible. Anyway, this was a great video! Just the right mix of explanation and demonstration. It kept me engaged the whole time. Thanks for taking the time.

[@pandyseven]

Hey Dan, unfortunately it does interfere with the Aerovee throttle so its back to the drawing board on that, but think I have come up with a better plan anyway. As far as the throttles go, I was never truly happy with them.

[@shrivelfork_motorsports]

I built mine in 2005-2008, and you may be past it now, but I didn't get very far with tapping the windshield bow before breaking the tap off in it and scrapping out that part. Fortunately I was building from plans so just ordered up another piece of that windshield bow stock and bent up another bow. At which point, I just drilled through and put locking nuts on the inside. Sure, not quite as smooth looking, but you get used to it and see the same nuts down the bottom sides of the windshield anyway. MUCH less stressful to just drill through and use slightly longer screws. Hopefully you got through it - actually surprised the factory is still having people build with the tapping operation - seems unnecessarily likely to cause issues. Anyway, I operated the plane for ~4 years and ~170 hours no problems - really great flier! I'm back for their Highwing - trying to get things together to be able to go for that.

[@pandyseven]

I will agree the highwing is a good-looking aircraft and seems to be the way things are heading, even Vans are in on it. I am looking at a few options for another build, and in particular the Jabaru J230, or at least a kit that offers instrument packages in the mix.

[@bryancotton7279]

Andy, with the Aerocarb you turn on the fuel before every engine start and generally shut down by turning off the fuel. Having a control on the panel is much better than reaching underneath.

[@pandyseven]

ok got it, so you done lean the mixture to shut down?

[@bryancotton7279]

@@pandyseven I can shut down with the mixture. After discussions with the Sonex community I adopted shutting down with the shutoff valve. It makes for less fuel in the system to heat soak after shutdown, like after stopping at the fuel pump. When not flying I like to have them both off to ensure no fuel leaks out the aerocarb.

[@pandyseven]

Hi Bryan, this is all very good stuff, something I would never have thought of.