This series covers the installation of FLIT LLC’s Zaero electric propulsion package in Paul and Louise’s Xenos Motorglider. Paul first flew Xenos serial number X0061 on April 8th, and has written a series of feature articles for Kitplanes Magazine about the Zaero electric package installation, his being the first customer installation to be completed and flown.

The latest installment of Paul’s feature story series covers his eXenos first flight and includes more great information about the Zaero installation along with some great tips for the first flight of any homebuilt aircraft.

Learn More About the Xenos Motorglider!

See the Entire eXenos Series of Articles from Kitplanes Magazine

New Parts Features Include:

• Matched-Hole Rear Wing Spars
• All Wing Ribs Cut to Individual Rib Station Specs with Matching Holes for Spar Attach Angles and Clips
• Pre-Cut, Matched-Hole Spar Attach Clips and Angles for Wing Ribs
• Matched-Hole Tail Cone Box Formed Verticals and Crossties
   

*All New Xenos-B kits shipped include these parts. Download the Parts List to compare with parts you already have. NOTE: All XNB part numbers listed are interchangeable with XNS part numbers in Legacy (A-Model) Xenos plans.

Learn More About the Xenos Motorglider!

New: Electric Propulsion for the Xenos Motorglider!

Gabe’s Zaero powered Xenos installation, consisting of a Zero Motorcyle fully-electric drivetrain and battery system modified by Gabe for aircraft use, is touted by Kitplanes as the first truly-practical and affordable electric-powered homebuilt aircraft and we agree! The Zaero powered Xenos “can carry two full-size adults and stay aloft for over an hour—more if you can find great lift!”

Through his company, FLIT LLC, Gabe DeVault is providing motor mount/reduction drive units, throttle controllers and general advice to support other Xenos builders as-well as builders of other experimental aircraft types that can use this power package. Sonex now supports builders with airframe battery/motor mounts for installation of the Zaero system on Xenos and Xenos-B Motorgliders! Note that Sonex Aircraft does not consider the Zaero electric propulsion system to be suitable on the Sonex, Waiex, Onex or Sonerai sport aircraft models.

Kitplanes editor at-large Paul Dye is best-known in Sonex circles for his beautiful SubSonex Personal Jet, “Loki,” however, Paul and his wife are also building a Xenos Motorglider and they have elected to make the Zaero electric propulsion package installation in their own Xenos! Kitplanes readers and Sonex enthusiasts will be able to follow Paul’s installation via blog posts and videos, and his aircraft will receive the first-article battery/motor mount from Sonex Aircraft for testing. Read More from Paul Dye and Gabe DeVault about the Zaero powered e-Xenos installation at www.Kitplanes.com/tag/exenos/

Learn More about the Xenos Motorglider!

Read More About the eXenos in Kitplanes Magazine!

B-Model Features Added to Xenos Motorglider!

January 5, 2017, Oshkosh, WI

Sonex Aircraft is extremely pleased to announce the new Xenos B-Model aircraft kit! The Xenos-B combines all of the great enhancements of the Sonex and Waiex B-Models with the outstanding motorglider performance and value of the Xenos. The Xenos-B is available to order now, with a Complete Airframe Kit base price of USD $27,495. Kit shipments are estimated to begin in March, 2017.

“We’re very excited to bring the huge improvements of the Sonex and Waiex B-Models to the Xenos motorglider,” writes Sonex Aircraft General Manager Mark Schaible. “This change has been requested by many prospective Xenos Motorglider customers and brings all of our two-place aircraft up to the same enhanced B-Model specification. B-Model fuselage changes for the Xenos also bring expanded payload opportunities to the Teros UAV program, which we are continually developing in-conjunction with Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation.”

Xenos B-Model enhancements include:

More Room and Comfort:
Sonex and Waiex B-Models are enlarged via straightening of the forward fuselage sides, and feature improved creature comforts:

• More width and comfort at the shoulders, hips, knees and feet.
• Seat back is moved aft, and new seating geometry accommodates taller individuals. Staggered seating is available via upholstery seat back cushions.
• Center “Y-Stick” offers dual controls with easier cockpit entry and roomier seating.

More Panel Space:
The enlarged B-Model instrument panel offers plenty of space for today’s popular dual-screen avionics installations (including the MGL iEFIS Explorer 8.5” displays) with room to spare.

More Engine Options:
A new Universal Cowl is designed to fit many popular engine options. Builders can experience the same great firewall-forward support for AeroVee/AeroVee Turbo and Jabiru engines, and in addition, B-Model engine mounts are available for UL Power and Rotax 912-series engines.

More Fuel:
The new B-Model fuel tank holds 20 US gallons – a 4-gallon increase over the original Xenos!

More Standard Features and Less Build Time:
Xenos B-Model kits come with more of what builders need to finish their aircraft in the shortest time possible:

• Machined Angle Components Included
• AeroBrake Hydraulic Brakes Included
• Dual Throttle Quadrants Included
• AeroConversions Trim System Included
• ABS Molded Cockpit Side Panels, Cable and Pushrod Fairings Included
• Precision-molded cowling is installed quickly and easily
• Engine mount bolts quickly and accurately to the airframe
• More laser-cut, formed and machined parts to reduce fabrication time and ease construction
• Machined Canopy Bows for easier canopy installation with a perfect fit
• Plus all the great features of existing Sonex Aircraft kits

The Same Great Xenos Flight Characteristics:
The best part of a Sonex Aircraft is the way it flies, and the B-Model Xenos will be no-exception!

• Lightening the aircraft in key areas without sacrificing structural integrity gives the B-Model a very similar weight despite it’s larger size.
• Performance specifications are equal. Takeoff, climb, cruise, stall, landing: the specifications are the same between B-Models and the original generation aircraft.
• More engine options with 100 hp or more offers more options for enhanced performance with your B-Model.

The Xenos follows in the Monnett tradition of bringing the cost of motor gliding to a highly affordable level. Using the same cost-effective and easy-to-build construction techniques and materials of the Sonex and Waiex, the Xenos offers another Reality Check for the soaring world. The Xenos comes standard with utility wing tips that can be easily removed to fit inside a 40 foot hangar, and can be quickly interchanged with optional aerobatic wingtips.

The Xenos can either be flown as a Sport Pilot/LSA, or it can be flown by pilots that hold a glider rating with a self-launch glider endorsement. The Xenos can be flown as a powered aircraft, a self-launched glider that soars with the engine off, or it can motor-soar over great distances with incredible fuel economy.

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is a leader in the experimental kit aircraft industry, providing a series of sport aircraft along with the AeroConversions line of products, which include the AeroVee engine, AeroVee Turbo, AeroInjector and ancillary aviation products. Sonex Aircraft’s Sonex, Waiex, and Onex sport planes, the Xenos sport motorglider, and the SubSonex Personal Jet, offer outstanding performance in an easy to build, easy to fly kit package that can be purchased and completed with full technical support at an unrivaled price. Highly regarded as an engineering company, Sonex has diversified its offerings to include the Teros line of UAV aircraft for civil and defense missions in conjunction with Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation. Sonex and AeroConversions continue to invest heavily in developing new products. Our team is committed to providing simple, elegant and low-cost solutions for sport flying. Simply put, Sonex Aircraft and AeroConversions products provide the Best Performance Per Dollar. Check us out at www.SonexAircraft.com and www.AeroConversions.com

HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD:

Xenos B-Model 3-View (Download High Resolution Image: 10.9mb jpeg file)

Xenos-B First Article Quick Build Kit (Download High Resolution Image: 1.2mb jpeg file)

B-Model Enhanced Cockpit and Panel (Download High Resolution Image: 8.6mb jpeg file)

XENOS B-MODEL WEB PAGE: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/xenos

SONEX AND WAIEX B-MODELS WEB PAGE:
– http://www.sonexaircraft.com/sonex
– http://www.sonexaircraft.com/waiex

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SONEX AND AEROCONVERSIONS PUBLIC RELATIONS RSS FEED & MAILING LIST: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/subscribe/#web_updates_list

PRESS CONTACT:
Mark Schaible
Sonex Aircraft, LLC
www.SonexAircraft.com
Phone: (920) 231-8297
Fax:     (920) 426-8333
E-mail: Use our Contact Form

# # #

Congratulations to Craig Jones of Austin, Minnesota, whose AeroVee powered Xenos (S/N X0011) flew for the first time on January 21!. Xenos #11 is the first customer-built Xenos to be completed and flown! “At 4:20 PM Xenos 11 took to the air and flew the patten without missing a beat,” reports Craig. This long-awaited event represents a proud day for all of us here at Sonex Aircraft, LLC. Gold Wings are on the way, Craig!

I did a few flights in the 3300 Jabiru powered Xenos to become familiar with performance, flying qualities and get comfortable before we began testing. Here are few of my initial impressions before I tell you about the stall and spin testing.

The Xenos is configured to fly solo from the left seat. Entry and exit is easy through the large clamshell canopy over the left side of the cockpit.

The Xenos is a very forgiving well-behaved tail dragger, easy to handle on the ground with a stearable tail wheel attached to the small rudder and good visibility over the nose. Like many gliders wheel brakes are applied by pulling the spoiler lever nearly full aft. Spoilers deploy from the top of the wing using a lever on the left side of the cockpit. Taxiing is accomplished with the spoiler handle in the 1st notch to make wheel brakes readily accessible. Parking brake is selected during engine start by locking the spoiler handle into the 2nd detent requiring a hard pull. Throttle, mixture and pitch trim t-handle are also located on the left side of the cockpit. Trim is provided with an adjustable spring system. No rudder or aileron trim is provided.

As you would expect our test plan started with 1g stalls then progressed to accelerated stalls both with and without spoilers. Testing progressed from forward to aft center of gravity (cg). As designed, the stall characteristics are very uneventful as the aircraft is somewhat elevator limited. That is, it doesn’t have enough elevator power to drive the wing deep into the stall to cause the typical nose drop or g-break when entered from level flight. As you would predict with a rectangular wing the inboard root portion of the wing stalls first. Good aileron control remains at the “stall”. Pulling the stick slowly full aft, the Xenos settles into a predictable descent due to the increase in drag with the outboard aileron portion of the wing not completely stalled. These characteristics are similar to other gliders such as the ASK-21 and Grob-103 at forward cg.

We investigated departure and spin susceptibility using a build-up approach in rudder inputs at the stall, yaw rate and heading change allowed before recovery controls were applied. This revealed the Xenos to be extremely resistant to departure and spin. The Xenos would not sustain a spin. If spins are attempted from 1g flight with the nose slightly above the horizon the aircraft slowly yaws in the direction of rudder and then accelerates out of the “stall” into a sideslip as the nose drops below the horizon 90 to 180 degrees off the entry heading. Rudder inputs remain effective enough at and near the “stall” to coordinate turns countering adverse yaw, yet the combined small rudder and rudder-vators are not powerful enough to generate a spin, a very desirable characteristic for a safe motor glider or sport plane.

I also flew the 80 hp AeroVee powered Xenos with Pete, and introduced the world of soaring to Tony Spicer, Jason Monnett, and Kerry Fores at Oshkosh during the 1st annual Sonex “Fly-O-Rama” (June 4-7, 2004). On each of these flights I took the Xenos to over 10,000 ft, turned the motor off, demonstrate the glide performance, “stall” and “spin” characteristics and then glided back to Wittman Field with the engine off for an engine out landing. Except for Pete, this was their first ride in the Xenos and all were amazed at its performance, benign “stall” and “spin” resistant characteristics.

The AeroVee powered Xenos also has good performance. Takeoff rolls were approximately 400 ft and climb rates after takeoff were approximately 800 ft/min at approximately 80o F. The AeroVee is also a very smooth running engine and a good match to this aircraft.

A personal note about the author and this test: Roger Tanner is a full time test pilot and a part time CFI-G at Mountain Valley airport where he enjoys sharing the joy of soaring with others. Roger has had a strong interest in building a Sonex for years now and got to know Pete through his friend Dave Lazerson, with whom Roger works and flies with out of Tehachapi. Pete originally asked Dave to do these spin tests on the Xenos. Dave started flying the Xenos and asked Roger to advise him on developing a test plan when Dave was tragically killed in a mid air between the C-180 he was flying and a Beach Baron. Roger then took on this test as a personal project to complete the work Dave started as a tribute to him. Dave was one of Roger’s instructors when he went through Test Pilot School. Roger has requested and received no payment for his help with this test.

Return to the Hornets’ Nest/Xenos Archive

• Xenos Flying Qualities by Roger Tanner (Stall and Spin Testing of the Xenos Motor Glider)

May 3, 2004
The Prototype Xenos Motorglider was brought out of flight test yesterday by Pete Buck. Pete’s daughter Ranelle was the first Xenos Passenger! Some of the most recent tests involved Soaring side-by-side with a 2-33 and the Xenos was able to pull ahead of the 2-33. Xenos flight reviews will now begin appearing in the aircraft news publications as we arrange for flights with review journalists. The design team and flight test pilot Roger Tanner are extremely pleased with the performance and flight handling of the Xenos.

March 15, 2004
Flight tests continue on both the Xenos Prototypes and Waiex Sportplane. The latest report from the Xenos Flight test team:
Roger Tanner an Air Force trained Test Pilot who currently teaches at the Air Force Test Pilots School is shown below helping out with the Xenos Flight Testing. Recently, Roger ask Pete Buck to either drain or burn off 6 gallons of fuel to place the aircraft’s C. G. in the position for the next series of test and Pete reported that at full throttle 13,500 ft over the airport he observed 140 mph indicated airspeed, 170 mph true airspeed and 200 mph showing on the GPS, The Tehachapi Valley was getting a little smaller. Testing is proceeding very well with Rogers help and all are happy with the aircraft.

January 14, 2004
Sonex,ltd has also released a letter concerning the Definition of a Motorglider or Powered Sailplane, which summarizes the criteria and how the Xenos Sport Motorglider meets them.

December 31, 2003
Sonex,ltd also announces the Xenos Sport Motorglider Kit, which has an introductory price of $17,495. The Xenos kit offers the same level of fabrication as the Sonex and Waiex.

The initial production of the Waiex and Xenos will be limited. The first kit delivery dates will depend on a number of factors including the completion of the flight test programs, completion of blueprints, and receipt of parts from our numerous suppliers (who have been pressed to continue deliveries of Sonex Kits due to its popularity). A 1/3 deposit will guarantee the price and secure your kit serial number.

September 8, 2003
Images from the sail plane homebuilder’s 23rd Annual Western Workshop in Tehachipi, CA. The Xenos had nine flights total. With the engine shut down at 8000 AGL and at 10AM, a climb to 10500 AGL was accomplished…with the Aerobatic tips! The Xenos design team is very pleased with the progress of the flight test program.

August 25, 2003
One of the two Xenos prototypes is prepared for a trip to Tehachipi, CA. The arrival of the Xenos in Tehachipi on August 30th coincides with the sail plane homebuilder’s 23rd Annual Western Workshop running from August 27th through September 1st. The 3300 jabiru-powered Xenos will be based out of Mountain Valley Airport at Pete Buck’s new hangar. John Monnett and Pete Buck will be on hand all weekend and plan on flying the airplane as well as presenting a forum during the Western Workshop.
For more information, check out the sail plane homebuilders web site at: www.sailplanehomebuilders.com
For Mountain Valley Airport (L94) Information: www.airnav.com/airport/L94

July 21, 2003
Sonex,ltd is pleased to announce the first flight of three brand-new aircraft. These first flights all took place on Saturday, July 19th, 2003 with John Monnett at the controls.

The first of the three test flights was Xenos N212XS, a brand-new two-place all-metal motor glider. This Xenos is powered by the Jabiru 3300. The Xenos gracefully took to the skies at 7:30 AM.

The second test flight was Xenos N112XS powered by the Aero Vee 2180. The new Xenos motorglider will be offered only as a complete kit from Sonex,ltd. The kit will contain laser-cut parts, formed ribs, all welded components, along with all formed aluminum parts. It will only be offered with a tail-dragger configuration. Options will include a center or dual stick and two engine choices. The Xenos can be built for under $28,000 complete!

The final test flight of the day was a new Y-tail Sonex derivative named the Waiex. (stands for Y-tail Experimental). The new sport aircraft Waiex hotrod meets all Sport Pilot Criteria, and adds yet another option for those seeking affordable performance. The Waiex will also only be offered as a complete kit. Waiex can be built for under $25,000 complete!

Both of these new designs are being premiered at AirVenture 2003 in Oshkosh, WI held from July 29th through August 4th. The “Sun-Yellow” prototypes of these designs can be seen at the Sonex,ltd Booth’s 464 and 465 in the North Display Area. One of the Xenos prototypes will also be on display in the EAA’s Sport Pilot Center.

Below are some images of the new airplanes:

Return to the Hornets’ Nest/Xenos Archive

May 1, 2003
Progress continues on both Xenos Prototypes. Below are the latest images.Canopies,windshields, and fuel tanks have been fitted, panel layouts complete, wing tips and tail tips just arrived and are being fitted this week.

January 23, 2003
Progress has been continuing on both Xenos Prototypes as the wings have been drilled to the fuselages and the fuselage structures riveted up.

December 24, 2002
The latest images of the rapid progress that is now being made on the Xenos Motorglider Prototypes.

December 10, 2002
Progress continues on the Xenos Motorglider as the second prototype makes its way down the assembly line.

June 2, 2002
Progress continues on the Xenos Motorglider. The wings and control surfaces are complete with the aft fuselage nearing completion. Below are 3 more images of our progress on the aft fuselage:

February 6, 2002
Progress continues on the Xenos Wings.

January 30, 2002
More images of the two sets of xenos wings being skinned.

January 22, 2002
Progress continues to be made on the Xenos Protoype Aircraft. Two sets of wings are being completed at the same time. Then our focus will turn to completing a single prototype aircraft for flight test and evaluation. Below are images of the significant progress that has been made in the last 3 months including the spoiler detail and completed ailerons.

September 7, 2001
Work continues on two Xenos Prototypes. Below are images of the 4 spars nearing completion.

Return to the Hornets’ Nest/Xenos Archive

Xenos Wing Static Load Test
The Xenos destructive test was completed last weekend. The wing passed with flying colors! Below are pictures and explainations at each stage of the test. Note that these pictures were taken before the load was released in each case, so the wing deflections are not depicted. This load test was filmed in its entirety with over a dozen witnesses.

We will now be moving forward with the construction of a prototype aircraft. The latest info will continue to be posted on this web site.

February 27, 2001
The Xenos test rig is complete. A full destructive test will be completed this weekend.

February 9, 2001
The Xenos test wing is riveted. The wing tip that will servie to test the utility configuration is shown below.

Return to the Hornets’ Nest/Xenos Archive

January 5, 2001
The Xenos Wing structure is complete. Next up: Installing the wing skins.

December 15, 2000
Looking more like a wing every day. The outboard ribs were added this week as the test wing takes shape.

December 5, 2000
Work continues on the xenos spars. The xenos test wing is taking shape as the laser cut webs are shown being fitted to the spar caps.

October 25, 2000
The first xenos spar caps were cut out and finished today. The xenos wing will be built and tested as prototype work continues.

October 23, 2000
The Convecta Motorglider has undergone a name change to Xenos! This name is Sonex backwards and the base word Xeno means strange or different. We believe this Motorglider Reality Check is truly a unique design, combining the elegant lines of the Sonex with the Sleek, v-tail look of it’s grandfather, the Moni Motorglider. This page will contain all of the latest updates as construction of the Xenos continues!

Return to the Hornets’ Nest/Xenos Archive