Sonex Aircraft has unveiled its newest kit aircraft design: The Sonex Aircraft High Wing.
Designed for expanded utility, ease of pilot access, and to appeal to the high wing enthusiast, the cantilevered wing aircraft was designed “in the Sonex tradition of sleek, efficient aerobatic and cross-country performance,” according to company officials.
Just the Facts
- Both the conventional tail and Y-Tail designs will be offered on the new kit.
- The kit will be available as either a taildragger or tri-gear.
- The kit features two seats with side by side seating.
- The new kit will feature doors that offer a 44 inch cockpit width.
- The aircraft will have a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds — making it eligible for sport pilots — with an estimated empty weight of 720 pounds to accommodate larger pilots and more fuel. Baggage capacity is also increased to 60 pounds.
- The new design will be aerobatic when flown solo with a gross weight at or under 1,050 pounds, with +6 and -3G limit load factors.
- The new kit is designed for engines 100 hp or greater with a maximum firewall-forward installation weight of 200 pounds. Builders can use AeroVee, Jabiru, UL Power, and Rotax engines.
When will it be available?
Company officials say their goal is to display the Sonex High Wing at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2023 and begin taking orders at that time.
You can follow the new kit’s development at the company’s Hornet’s Nest R&D High Wing website.
I too like the idea of the tricycle gear high wing v-tail.
Any idea about how high ite top of the wings would be over the fuselage.
I have a set of in laws who put the aircraft on a trailer and take it home and then reverse things to get us
home.
Thanks
If folding wings will be an option then I am 100% sold in buying a kit. The same goes for the current low wing models.
Sonex Onex is always folding – it’s the only way to buy the kit.
Unfortunately, its way to fold is not likely to carry over to Sonex High Wing. It folds wings upwards.
Yeah! A lot like BD-4 (been there, done that) and Whitman Tailwind, but in kit form available with modern efficiencies from highly reputable Sonex. Also, somewhat of a legacy from Steve Whitman. As soon as I can, I’ll be first in line!
Looks like a Whitman “Tailwind” to me. Why reinvent the wheel when a great design already exists?
Thank god larger minds than yours have been involved throughout history in aircraft development or we would still be sitting on the ground!
Never considered Sonex before, but would be interesting to see if this design could provide any additional fuel/range/payload/larger CG and include 1 person folding wings/trailerable capabilities.
If they add folding wings, I am 100% sold
Sonex already has a nice line of kitplanes. The market is really going to like the high wing.
Looks a lot like the BD-4, which is not a bad thing considering how efficient that design is.