Sonex has been continually upgrading Xenos Motorglider kits through the years to help make the largest of our kit aircraft models easier to build, and to speed production of Xenos Quick Build Kits as-well as the Teros UAS.

Matched-Hole Formed Parts replace the pre-formed long channel sections previously supplied in our kits with finished parts with all bends complete and pilot holes matching skins and other internal structure parts.

Learn More About the Xenos-B Motorglider

See More Sonex Kit Features & Options!

This change includes a new Universal Seat Pan installation that accommodates both Center and Dual Stick configuration installations and features a removable forward seat pan to improve access for autopilot servo installations, and installation & service of avionics sensor boxes or antennas. The removable Forward Seat Pan installs via piano hinge and includes cover plates for unused center stick or dual stick locations.

New B-Model kit orders can be upgraded with dual sticks for $760 and existing customers may retrofit their kit or flying aircraft via a $1,500 B-Model Dual Stick Retrofit Package. The Dual Stick installation represents a weight increase of approximately 2.25 lbs. vs. Center Stick Installation. Dual Stick B-Model Upholstery options are coming soon.

NOTE: No Parts Exchanges or Returns are accepted for Center Stick Configuration Parts. Dual Stick Retrofit Kit lead time is approximately 10-12 weeks. Existing kit order customers may add the Dual Stick Upgrade to their kit orders by contacting Sonex Customer Service (some parts may be backordered and ship separately).

Learn More About the Sonex-B

Learn More About the Waiex-B

Learn More About the Xenos-B Motorglider

Paul writes:

To quote Howard Hughes in the movie The Rocketeer… ”The son of a b**** will fly!”

The stars finally aligned with the weather (and schedules) in western Nevada on the morning of April 8th, and the Dye/Hose eXenos took to the air for its first and second flights from Dayton Valley Airpark. Paul Dye flew both flights using the EAA Test Card #2 (suitably modified for an electric powerplant) and found the airplane to fly fine, with only a slightly heavy left wing and a stall speed right on the book value of 38 knots. The electric power system devised by Gabe DeVault worked flawlessly and Paul was able to manage temperatures of the motor, controller and battery to complete all the flight test objectives on the card. While the motor warms up quickly during takeoff and initial climb, the temperature are easily managed while maintaining a respectable positive rate of climb to pattern altitude.

You can read more about the Dye/Hose eXenos first flight on the Kitplanes Magazine web site!

Congratulations Paul and Louise, Gold Wings are on the way!

Learn More About the Xenos Motorglider!

Learn More about the Xenos Zaero Electric Propulsion Installation!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Learn More About the Sonex!

]]> 21551 https://www.sonexaircraft.com/highwing-update-020823/ Thu, 09 Feb 2023 22:51:19 +0000 https://www.sonexaircraft.com/?p=21324 Read More]]> The update you’ve been waiting for is here! Watch the archive video of our February 7th Webinar presentation for the entire presentation from Sonex owner and Highwing designer Mark Schaible.

What’s New in This Update?

This is the first update on the Sonex Highwing project since the design was originally announced in the Late Summer of 2021, so there’s a lot of new information available:

• New CAD Renderings: Sink you teeth into the new views of the aircraft below — we think it’s going to be a “looker!”
• More Dimensional Details including a 42″ Interior Cockpit Width at the occupants’ shoulders.
• Easy Ingress/Egress and Step-In Height
• Dimensions from the ground to the bottom of the wing
• Disassembled dimensions for shipping and trailer transport
• Removeable Wings: Preliminary information about installation of the Sonex Highwing’s removeable wings.
• Fuel System Information and Range Estimates: the aircraft will carry 30 Gallons of Fuel.
• Stick Configuration: The aircraft will be easily Convertible Between Dual Stick and Center Stick configurations.
• Baggage Space and Access.
• Aerobatic Capability: The Sonex Highwing will be Capable of Aerobatics with 2 Persons On-Board.
• It’s official, the aircraft has a name: Simply Sonex Highwing or “SH” for short — we’re guessing you get where we’re going with that…
• BRS Installation will be an option for Sonex Highwing customers.
• Purchase Options: The Sonex Highwing will be offered as kits as-well as S-LSA Production Aircraft.
• Engine Options.
• Payload Scenarios.
• Floats? Skis? No Problem!
• No Waiex variant will be offered.
• Q&A: We answer your questions from the webinar!

New CAD Renderings:

We put a lot of thought and effort into the lines of the aircraft for utility, clean aerodynamic lines and good looks. That last one is subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we feel that we’ve got a very good looking aircraft here — we hope you agree!

Dimensional Details:

The Sonex Highwing has a 42″ Interior Width at the pilots’ shoulders. Note that this dimension was quoted correctly in Tuesday’s webinar audio, but the accompanying slides erroneosly read 44″ interior width. 44″ is the exterior width at the break between the forward and aft fuselage.

Easy Cockpit Access:
The aircraft is designed to have a large door with exposed foot well for easier ingress and egress. The Highwing also has a very reasonable step-in height for getting in and out of hte aircraft.

What about getting under that wing? The Sonex Highwing has a very reasonable wing height compared with similarly proportioned high wing sport aircraft. See the dimensioned images below:

Seating and Size Comparisons vs. Sonex-B:
As shown in our original Sonex Highwing announcement, the slide below shows a comparison of pilot seating position vs. the Sonex. The Highwing will have pilots sitting about 2 inches farther aft vs. the Sonex, seating geometry allows more knee room, and the seat bottom is 2 inches lower than the Sonex. Small pilots will get to use really cushy upholstery for great comfort! The open space in the cabin between the Highwing’s aft root ribs offers a huge amount of headroom for taller pilots. Also found below are exterior sizing comparisons between the Sonex-B and the Sonex Highwing.

Ship It or Trailer It!
With removeable outboard wing panels, the Sonex Highwing will fit in a 20 foot ocean freight container for ferry-flight-free transport overseas and easy shipping of Quick Build Kits. These dimensions also allow owners to easily find enclosed trailers to take their favorite aircraft to their favorite vacation spot along with the whole family, their car, and the kitchen sink!

Removeable Wing Method:

Fuel System:

The Sonex Highwing will use the standard B-Model 20 Gallon rotationally-molded fuel cell installation in the nose of the aircraft, and will also feature two 5 Gallon Aux Tanks, one each in the inboard root section of each wing. Pilots can easily transfer fuel from the Aux Tanks to the Main Tank via gravity feed via simple valves in the cockpit at the LH and RH wing roots. This installation allows the extra fuel weight to be as-close to the aircraft CG as-possible. The Aux Tanks will be rotationally molded and will feature screw-on fuel caps recessed under the wing skin with simple flush access doors in the top wing skin.

With a total of 30 gallons of onboard fuel, the Sonex Highwing will see an approximate 260 to 300 statute mile increase in range vs. the Sonex-B.

Stick Configuration:

An informal poll of the 466 live attendees of this week’s Highwing webinar found viewers were split almost 50/50 about the question whether to have a single control stick or Y-grip in the center of the cabin, or to have traditional dual sticks. Luckily, the Sonex Highwing will have both! Sticks will be easily convertible between center stick and dual stick installation, making it easy to change stick position based-on specific flight missions includuing carrying very young passengers or bulky cargo in the right seat with no stick installed while having a stick between the left seat pilot’s legs or in the center console. This new stick system in the Sonex Highwing promises to be quite simple and have negligible weight impact vs. a non-convertible system.

Of course, the center stick installation will be the setup allowing easiest entry into hte cockpit, especially for those with limited mobility.

Baggage Space and Access:

Aerobatic Capability:

We made a big announcement during this week’s webinar: The Sonex Highwing will be approved for aerobatics with 2 persons on-board! This is a first for Sonex airframes and allows the Highwing to be used for aerobatic training as an S-LSA, as well as a fun aircraft to take a friend flying with.

When flown solo, the Highwing can be used for Aerobatics with the standard full-span fiberglass wing tips installed. For 2-up aerobatics, the fiberglass tips will be replaced by simple metal end plates. Like the Xenos Motorglider, the Highwing’s wing tips will be installed with piano hinge, so changing the tips is as-simple as removing the hinge pins with a pair of pliers.

The Sonex Highwing will be offered with a lightweight cabin door jettison system, similar to that found on a Citabria, for those aerobatic flights.

What’s In a Name?
The Sonex Highwing is officially being named just that: Sonex Highwing or SH for short. You can imagine where we’re going with that name, and we may even engrave the phonetic alphabet spelling of those initials into the metal end plates for 2-place aerobatic operation. It might be a bigger airplane, it may be a high wing, but it’s still a Sonex!

BRS Installation Option:

Purchase Options:

Engine Options:

Payload Scenarios:

The design team is working hard toward a basic empty weight goal of 720 pounds for the Sonex Highwing. Assuming an empty weight of 750 lbs., some sample loading scenarios are as-follows:

Floats? Skis? No Problem!

No Waiex Variant of the Highwing to be offered:

Q&A: We Answer Your Questions from the Webinar!

Q: E-LSA max gross is 1320…. Will there be a different max GW for Experimental (US) or Homebuilt for us Canadians?
A: No: 1320 lbs. is a big jump in max gross weight vs. the Sonex at 1150 lbs. If we can achieve our empty weight target of 720 lbs., the Sonex Highwing will have excellent utility and useful load for an aircraft of its size, while also being fast, aerobatic and low-cost.

Q: Will the kit be available for order at Osh 23? Lead time from then?
A: Our goal is to debut the Sonex Highwing prototype at AirVenture 2023 and open the order books at that time. We hope to get the first kits, even if they are just Sub-Kits to begin, shipped by year-end or early 2024.

Q: Will this be final hole size and dimpled?
A: Yes, as much as possible! Sonex acquired a CNC router in 2021 and has been steadily working it into our production flow, replacing many of the parts that were previously laser-cut. Using a router, the holes no-longer have a laser heat-affected zone and are therefore acceptable to produce at full-size, which we plan to do for as many parts as-possible in our new aircraft designs as-possible. We may eventually upgrade our previous kit designs with this feature, but that would happen much later-on.

Q: The flexibility in stick placement is great! Will the stick be easily removed/installed to facilitate ingress/egress?
A: Sure! You’ll probably need quick disconnect wiring for any buttons or switches in your stick grip, of course.

Q: Will the Sonex Highwing have high visibility glass doors, ala Rans, Viking, Van’s?
A: Our standard configuration will be conventional windows in the doors for optimum aesthetics of the aircraft, but builders can certainly make their own all-plexiglass doors. If there is enough customer demand, Sonex may produce all-plexiglass doors as-well.

Q: What is the desired/estimated build time? Are Quick build kits planned, and if so, what is the reduction in build time?
A: We are estimating a build time of approximately 1,000 hours for the Sonex Highwing, and hopefully less with the full-sized matched hole tooling we are planning to include. Quick Build Kits will be offered, and will reduce build time by approximately 500 hours.

Q: Does a BRS sytem comply with the FAR parachute requirement for aerobatics? Aerobatic capable with 2 people?
A: That’s a great question for the FAA that Sonex has not broached yet. The Sonex Highwing will have jettisonable doors as an option for those that choose to wear parachutes during aerobatic flight.

Q: I Hope you can share the Attendance of tonight’s Seminar with us before the end….
A: EAA’s statistics for this week’s webinar shows a total live attendance of 466 people.

Q: Is the Tailwheel direct steer like the Sonex?
A: Yes, and the nose wheel is direct steering as-well.

Q: Will the baggage area be floor level so our furry family members can ride in the back?
A: Yes. There will be a 2 inch wide box running through the centerline of the baggage compartment to protect the pushrod controls, but that will not cause a problem for most furry friends.

Q: Will there be aerobatic ailerons as an option?
A: Great Question! We will definitely evaluate that as a possibility during flight testing. For those that do not know, Sonex “Sport Acro” aileron and flap installation is an increase in aileron span with a decrease in flap span that is available in the plans and parts for Sonex and Waiex kits. Sport Acro ailerons increase the roll rate in teh Sonex or Waiex from 80 degrees per-second to 120 degrees per-second — no slouch with either insetallation!

Q: What is the estimated maximum engine weight and horsepower?
A: The Sonex Highwing is designed for a maximum FWF installation weight of 200 lbs. and horespower ratings between 80 and 130 hp.

Q: Can we fly with doors removed?
A: We’ll have to explore that in flight test. We know the fuselage structure can handle it but the concern is turbulence over the tail caused by having the doors removed. You would certainly want to limit your airspeed with doors removed, and a blast deflector at the leading edge of the doors may be needed. Of course, there are all kinds of ventilation and opening window possibilities with the Sonex Highwing doors.

Q: Bubble doors for extra elbow room?
A: The initial prototype will not have bubble doors. Once we get some experience with the airplane and have customers try it on for size, we’ll evaluate whether we want to make a contoured “bubble” door a standard option for customers. Kit builders can certainly modify the doors in this way if they wish.

Q: Is there any chance of an upward opening door like a Cessna 162?
A: We are not planning upward opening doors at this time.

Q: Will landing/taxi lights be considered in the cowling?
A: That will largely be up to the builder, but is certainly do-able. For S-LSA or E-LSA configurations from Sonex, we are more-likely to put landing/taxi lights in the leading edge of the fiberglass wing tips.

Q: Are the five gallon wing tanks made of the same material as the 20gallon header tank?
A: Yes, they will be rotationally molded cross-linked polyethylene (XPLE).

Q: Will there be grab handles on the fuselage for pushing/pulling around on the ground?
A: Most likely not, as we try to keep the aircraft’s exterior as-clean as-possible for best performance. Kit builders can certainly make this modification, however, if desired.

Q: Will there be an option for an auto-pilot?
A: Autopilot installation will certainly be an option.

Q: I have a friend who is 6’5″ – will he fit in this aircraft?
A: Very possibly! Have him try it on at AirVenture 2023!

Q: How are the spars manufactured? Will the center sections that may require driven rivets come already riveted? Rest of the plane be all pulled rivets?
A: The Sonex Higwing main wing spars are very similar to the spars in the rest of our aircraft, using our proprietary spar cap extrusions and solid riveted with web laminations. Sonex Highwing spars will be pre-riveted by the factory leaving customers with only blind riveting for assembly of the kit.

Q: Does the tricycle version weigh more?
A: Yes, it will. Sonex tricycle gear installations weigh 10 lbs. additinal on-average.

Q: Is the seat back adjustable?
A: Yes, that is the plan. The seat back will be hinged at the bottom to allow easy baggage access and we will have adjustable stand-offs for the seatback’s distance to the fuselage cross tie, much like a Van’s RV-12.

Q: Can a 10″ EFIS screen be installed?
A: We are working toward that, yes. The control system is being finalized and based on the length and arc of the control stick at full nose-down and the increased knee room allowed by the seating geometry, we feel that a taller panel (exending lower from the top of the glare shield) will be possible to accomodate 10″ EFIS screens from the popular avionics manufacturers.

Q: Are you still using a 64-415 airfoil and is it a 15% thick airfoil for the Sonex Highwing?
A: Yes.

Q: Estimate on standard kit, quick build kit, and S-LSA costs?
A: That’s a difficult question to answer during these inflationary times. In today’s dollar and material costs, we’re hoping to have a kit price no higher than the Xenos Motorglider with Quick Build Kit upgrade pricing similar to what we currently charge for Sonex, Waiex and Onex Quick Build Kit upgrades. An S-LSA price is difficult to estimate at this time as-well, but whatever we do, it’s not worth doing if we can’t be price-competitive with other popular S-LSA’s.

Q: Max permitted propeller diameter for both tri gear and taildragger?
A: 60 inches per our current standard propeller options.

Q: Are there any considerations for folding wing option?
A: No: Folding wings come with a weight penalty, and we need to keep empty weight as-close to our targets as-possible for maximum utility.

Keep checking-back with this page as we add more Q&A’s that come-in about the Sonex Highwing!

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!

Thank you to all the volunteers, EAA staff, Sonex staff and donors for helping to make this build happen! The One Week Wonder was built during AirVenture 2022, going from Complete Airframe Kit to first taxi in 6-1/2 days. See photos and video coverage of the One Week Wonder in our AirVenture 2022 Wrap-Up!

Learn More About the Waiex-B!

View the Latest Sonex Aircraft Completions

Pick the Paint Contest Begins

One Week Wonder is truly an EAA Member-driven event. Members volunteer to build the aircraft, and members can even help decide what it will look like when it’s done! EAA kicked-off the One Week Wonder Pick the Paint contest this week, and voting is underway with 10 options to choose from. With the help of your vote, the selection of paint schemes will be narrowed-down to the World’s favorites, and final selection of the One Week Wonder Waiex-B paint scheme will take place via voting during AirVenture 2022, while the aircraft is being built. See the Schemes and Vote Today!

See Us at Sun ‘n Fun!

You can also see the One Week Wonder paint scheme candidates and vote on your favorites at the upcoming Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo where Waiex-B prototype “Red One” will be on-display at the EAA exhibit at Sun ‘n Fun 2022. Sonex owner and president Mark Schaible will be on-hand to answer your questions about our complete line of aircraft kits and other products, give you his personal paint scheme favorites, and help answer questions about volunteering for the 2022 One Week Wonder.

Learn More about the Waiex-B!

The Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based kit aircraft, engine, accessories and unmanned aircraft manufacturer is retaining all of the current staff and will seamlessly continue the operations founded by John Monnett in 1998, including fulfillment of all current orders. Monnett will stay-on as a lifetime emeritus advisor as-part of a new Sonex Advisory Board.

“John Monnett is a legendary name in the aviation industry, so I am very humbled and excited to have the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of his achievements and continue to shape the Sonex legacy into the next generation,” remarks Schaible. “This would not be possible without our talented, dedicated staff that really makes our company work. All of us are looking forward to forging ahead in support our great line-up of existing products and to bring new products to market, while striving for continual improvement of our products and processes.”

Long-time Sonex employee and controller/customer service manager/HR manager Heather Zahner will move up to the general manager position for the organization. Zahner, Schaible, and technical support manager and Kitplanes Magazine columnist Kerry Fores each have nearly two decades of experience with Sonex, creating a solid connection to the company’s history. In addition to Monnett, the new Sonex Advisory Board includes original Sonex design partner and Lockheed Martin Senior Fellow Pete Buck, well-known EAA and Sonex alumnus and Sonerai builder Joe Norris, Chilton, WI machine shop owner, Sonex supplier and AirVenture aircraft judging chairman Dave Juckem, and Chad Feucht, a retired Air Force F-16, F-22 and operational test pilot, former Lockheed-Martin and Boeing employee who currently owns and operates a wealth management practice in neighboring Fond du Lac, WI.

“Establishing Sonex Aircraft, Sonex Aerospace and AeroConversions as innovative, affordable performance brands to serve the sport aircraft community has always been my goal,” Monnett said. “Going forward, the very experienced Sonex, LLC team is dedicated to maintaining and growing these high standards of service and innovation for existing and future customers.”

Sonex will continue to serve both the piston and turbine experimental aircraft markets with its current products. In addition, new products and development priorities include:

• The JSX-2T two-seat SubSonex Personal Jet, scheduled to debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022.
• The Sonex High Wing being unveiled at AirVenture 2023.
• Additional support for the installation of Rotax 912-series engines, including the Rotax 912iS with a factory installation in-progress that will be the basis for the installation in the EAA AirVenture 2022 One Week Wonder.
• Expanded support for UL Power’s line of 4-cylinder engines and Jabiru engines.
• Advancements in Sonex’s line of AeroConversions products, while closely monitoring the engine market for other new products that may become good candidates to power Sonex aircraft as they develop and prove reliability.

“Future strength for Sonex will come from innovation and diversity within our product line, as we see great things on the horizon,” Schaible said.

The AeroConversions product line will continue to offer the AeroVee and AeroVee Turbo engine kits along with the AeroInjector and the current line of AeroConversions accessories. Sonex will also seek opportunities to improve and add features to its line of VW-based engine conversions while expanding the line of AeroConversions accessories available to experimental aircraft projects of all brands and types.

Additional diversity will come from Sonex Aerospace, which has been converted from a separate company to become the third major product line of Sonex LLC. This will focus on the rapidly growing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) market as well as other aerospace industry product and service opportunities.

“While our traditional market is stronger than it has been for many years, there is no question that the UAS market is growing exponentially and will continue to do so,” Schaible said.

Sonex was selected in 2015 to develop and build the Teros Group 4/5 UAS because of the company’s reputation in the homebuilt aircraft marketplace. The Xenos Motorglider-based UAS has also evolved and matured tremendously, and Sonex is continuing work with Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation (NASC) to bring the Teros and other UAS systems to full-scale production for government and commercial customers.

For more information about Sonex, LLC and its products and its people, visit our web sites at:

• www.SonexAircraft.com
• www.AeroConversions.com
• www.SonexAerospace.com

SONEX PRESS CONTACT:
Mark Schaible
mark@sonexaircraft.com
920-231-8297

HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD:

Sonex, LLC staff are excited for the future with new ownership, products, and Advisory Board. (Click to Download High Res)

Sonex High Wing FAQ’s:

Are you offering both Conventional Tail and Y-Tail model options?
Yes! With the Waiex-B leading Sonex Aircraft sales, it’s clear that people love the looks and great handling of our Y-Tail designs, so we will offer both options for our high wing offerings.

Can I choose between Taildragger vs. Tri-Gear for Sonex Aircraft high wing aircraft?
Yes! We will have both gear configurations available with both tail configurations: 4 model options available between tail and gear configuration options.

When will the Sonex High Wing be available?
Our target is to display the Sonex High Wing at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2023 and begin taking orders at that time.

Will the Sonex Aircraft High Wing be a Backcountry Airplane?
No. just like the current fleet of Sonex Aircraft, the Sonex High Wing will be capable of handling short grass strips exceptionally well, but winning a STOL competition or flying off a gravel bar is not the intended mission of the aircraft – so many other aircraft already fill that bill quite well. Instead, we wanted to bring expanded utility and ease of pilot access to the existing Sonex mission of fun everyday local flying, aerobatics and fuel-efficient & fast long cross-countries to the high wing world. All that being said, if you ever wanted to put floats, skis or big tires on a Sonex, have at it with our new high wing!

What is the seating configuration?
Just like the Sonex, Waiex, Xenos and two-place SubSonex JSX-2T, the Sonex High Wing will have two seats, side-by-side.

Will pilots have more room in the Sonex High Wing?
Yes! Both the pilot seating and the aircraft’s wing is moved aft approximately 2.5 inches and the Sonex High Wing will feature doors that offer a 44 inch cockpit width. Additionally, the shape of the high wing cabin configuration allows almost unlimited head room.

Can the Sonex High Wing carry more fuel?
Yes. The Sonex High Wing will feature the standard Sonex Aircraft B-Model 20 gallon rotationally-molded fuel cell along with an option for 10 gallons of auxiliary fuel in the inboard wings, which can be easily transferred to the main tank via gravity feed.

Will the Sonex High Wing have a higher gross weight?
Yes, the aircraft will have a max gross weight with Utility Category limit load factors of 1320 lbs. with an estimated empty weight of 720 lbs. to accommodate larger pilots and more fuel. The baggage capacity of the aircraft is also increased to 60 lbs.

Will it be aerobatic?
Yes, when flown solo with a gross weight at or under 1050 lbs., the Sonex High Wing will have +6 and -3G limit load factors. Like the Xenos motorglider, the Sonex High Wing will have easily interchangeable aerobatic wing tips to reduce span with the effect of increasing roll rate and maximizing top speeds for local aerobatic fun flying.

Will it be Sport Pilot Eligible?
Yes. The Sonex High Wing is designed to check all the boxes for Sport Pilot while offering the maximum useful load, aerobatic capability and cruise speeds. See our Sport Pilot web page for more information about Sport Pilot aircraft performance requirements.

Can the Sonex High Wing be transported on a trailer?
Yes. The Sonex High Wing features removeable outboard wing panels, similar to the SubSonex, with a fixed inboard wing section. Max width of the aircraft with outboard wings removed is 89-5/8” allowing the high wing Quick Build Kit and completed aircraft to fit in enclosed trailers and ocean freight shipping containers.

What engine will the aircraft be powered by?
The Sonex High Wing is designed for engines 100 hp or greater with a maximum firewall-forward installation weight of 200 lbs. Like current B-Model aircraft, the Sonex High Wing can use AeroVee, Jabiru, UL Power and Rotax engines.

With the introduction of the Sonex High Wing, will the 2-place SubSonex JSX-2T still be offered?
Yes! The 2-place jet is still going to be offered with a debut scheduled for AirVenture 2022. The Sonex High Wing will be the next new aircraft offering from Sonex Aircraft scheduled to debut at AirVenture 2023.

Can I get started now with a Sonex or Waiex Tail Kit?No. Although it looks very similar, Sonex Aircraft High Wings will have different tails: slightly larger due to the increased wing span.

How can I stay up to-date with Sonex High-Wing developments?
You can join our Sonex Hornets’ Nest Research and Development email list segment for the Sonex High Wing to be automatically notified of project updates. Also stay tuned for updates to our web site home page, social media and other outlets such as media coverage and webinar presentations.

Friday Video Teaser:

Full Interview with Experimental Aircraft Channel:

Subscribe to Stay Tuned for More High Wing Information!