Sonex Closes Its Doors

[skippydiesel]

 

[T510]

Sad to see another manufacturer fold

[skippydiesel]

Yes!

 

Unfortunatly there will be future problems with support, both advice & material, for Sonex ownersl.

 

I feel for those who have purchased kits, that now may never be finished.

 

The Sonex range are great little aircraft however I think their stubborn refusal to move with the times, in particular their very late "recognition & support" of Rotax engines, has not done them any favours. This coupled with limited fuel capacity/range (if you stick to the plans) has left them well behind aircraft with similar cruise performance. In much of Australia we don't have the luxury of a potential fueling location every 100 nautical miles or so.😈

 

 

[rodgerc]

Spot on Skippy….

I built and flew a 2300 cc AeroVee (upgraded from 2180cc Nikasil) powered Waiex that was a ton on fun and as strong as an ox, but the lack of a 912-ULS Rotax option (at the time) dictated that our relationship would not be long-term.

The good news for existing owners is that they are so simple, that anything short of a destroyed spar cap is easily repaired or replaced. 
If (when) a new owner emerges, they would be well advised to relaunch with a decent Rotax mount….I’m not convinced the high wing variant was going to set the world on fire. 

[skippydiesel]

I don't know much about the high wing but do know that it faced competition from other similar aircraft (RV, etc?) and I doubt, broke new ground/ offed anything extra to define it.

 

Sonex had moved quite quickly support the Rotax engine option, only recently comming out with a Rotax compatible ring mount - perhaps e too little to late.

 

My Rotax 912ULS varient has wing tanks to give it extra legs - Sonex were appalled at the inovaton.

 

😈