1st project- Onex

What's the scoop on the AeroVee engines though? How many hours one can expect?

Also, the torque/hp chart at Aeroconversions site indicates that the rated power (80 hp) is achieved at 3400 rpm. Is there a prop that can turn that fast?
 
What's the scoop on the AeroVee engines though? How many hours one can expect?

Also, the torque/hp chart at Aeroconversions site indicates that the rated power (80 hp) is achieved at 3400 rpm. Is there a prop that can turn that fast?

Yes, as the others said.
I looked at RevMaster, Hummel, Great Plains and AeroVee all the VW based engines. I am going with AeroVee because of the Sonex support that goes along with it.
On props I'm going with the composite Sensenich .
 
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progress -about 160 hrs now- looks like it might fly someday
not bad a few cuts to the knuckles and fingers and my hands and arm is feeling better now that I bought a pneumatic pop riveter:yes:
added some pictures
www.sidnaw.org/onex
 
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Good looking progress.....

Don't stop now... ya need to fly the thing..:)
 
Nice looking metal work. :yes:


But I didn't see any blood! :lol:

:rolleyes::rofl::yesnod:..

During my build,,, I bet I drilled into my fingers at least 5 times.. Once so bad I had to put the drill in reverse to back the bit out...:hairraise::eek::sad:
 
It's looking like an airplane. Be honest.....how many times have you sat in it and made airplane noises?? :)
 
:rolleyes::rofl::yesnod:..

During my build,,, I bet I drilled into my fingers at least 5 times.. Once so bad I had to put the drill in reverse to back the bit out...:hairraise::eek::sad:

So they DO require blood, sweat AND tears?! :eek::yikes:
 
Yeah.. But... That first flight is sooooooooooo Sweet..:yes::wink2:

I can imagine. I started an RV-6 project long ago, but quickly learned I was meant to fly, not build, and bought my Mooney!

But part of me still wants to give it a try someday when time allows. I think it would be the ultimate thrill.
 
I'm not sure if I'll ever be in a position to build or own an aircraft, but I have a mild obsession with the Sonex planes. They're not terrible attractive planes, but they seem really well designed. Simple and efficient.
 
progress -about 160 hrs now- looks like it might fly someday
not bad a few cuts to the knuckles and fingers and my hands and arm is feeling better now that I bought a pneumatic pop riveter:yes:
added some pictures
www.sidnaw.org/onex

Brad, you are rocking along at an amazing pace! Nice looking work, too.

Maybe -someday- i'll get up to 6Y9 and see it. :yes:
 
Shouldn't be all that difficult or take too long in that Bo of yours...

Nope it shouldn't, and it wouldn't. Gotta make it happen.
 
I'm not sure if I'll ever be in a position to build or own an aircraft, but I have a mild obsession with the Sonex planes. They're not terrible attractive planes, but they seem really well designed. Simple and efficient.
Yeah, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A friend of mine wants me to paint it like a Tarpon ,fish scales and all. I like the looks of fish but maybe not on a project with this many hrs in it. Too hard and expensive to re do after everybody stops laughing.:lol:
 
Brad, you are rocking along at an amazing pace! Nice looking work, too.

Maybe -someday- i'll get up to 6Y9 and see it. :yes:

Thanks, yeah clipping along pretty good would do better if I didn't have to stop and scratch my head so many times, sometimes it's my brain, sometimes the plans and instructions are unclear, sometimes because it's a new kit they don't have the hardware list correct that you get from Aircraft Spruce. So you wait for some nut's and bolts or some other little parts. That said I believe I will fly it next summer.
We are looking forward to seeing you up at 6Y9. It has been officially BO tested as Grant and Leslie flew in this year in the Deb. and another guy has property close by and is regularly coming in with his 35.
 
:rolleyes::rofl::yesnod:..

During my build,,, I bet I drilled into my fingers at least 5 times.. Once so bad I had to put the drill in reverse to back the bit out...:hairraise::eek::sad:

Yep drilled mine once so far, I'm sure more will happen. Lucky you don't leak much out of a hole made from a drill size #30 or #40.
 
Nice work! If I built an experimental it would probably be an Onex. I spent a lot of time looking at the kits after reading that article in AOPA about the subsonex.

Do they have an approximate price for the sub-sonex yet?
 
Very impressive Brad. Have you gotten any help or is it just you?

Just me on the work. A very good friend has loaned me some tools he used on building his RV-8. Another great friend got me into the company he works for model shop to bend up some of the parts on a sheet metal brake.
Sonex tech support when I have brain freeze.
Mostly lots of fun and rewarding so far.
 
Nice work! If I built an experimental it would probably be an Onex. I spent a lot of time looking at the kits after reading that article in AOPA about the subsonex.

Do they have an approximate price for the sub-sonex yet?

Still in concept/proto yet according to all I've talked to there . No word on when they will take orders. Recent article in mags are questioning who will be able to fly these,what ratings you need.
What they have said to me is the engine is solid ,they're putting in electric retracts,a more aerodynamic nose, ballistic parachute and at first said a year ago around 60k been recently eluded to the number just under 100k. There will be a lot more to this kerosene burning bird than meets the eye .Not a Xcountry ride as fuel burn is high compared to amount it can carry.
Still-- it would be FUN!
 
It's looked exactly the same for the past 3-4 months. :D

The fuselage and tail went together in a hurry, so now I just go upstairs of the office, and check on the progress, and it looks the same. But I know there's a lot of little stuff that's gone on inside it that doesn't contribute to looking like much has gotten done.
 
It's looked exactly the same for the past 3-4 months. :D

The fuselage and tail went together in a hurry, so now I just go upstairs of the office, and check on the progress, and it looks the same. But I know there's a lot of little stuff that's gone on inside it that doesn't contribute to looking like much has gotten done.

Major repair jobs go the same way, boss is really happy it is going so quickly,


Then you get to the "real" work
 
What's going in the Panel?

Did you buy the optional assembled Spar and machined parts?

Cheers
 
I am seriously considering selling my RV-12 sub kits and buying the Onex to build. I went up to the factory for the builders workshop and it was outstanding. Anyone thinking about the Sonex, Onex, etc, go to the builders workshop. I really like the idea of an aerobatic LSA with folding wings that I can fit into the hangar with another plane.

Carl
 
What's going in the Panel?

Did you buy the optional assembled Spar and machined parts?

Cheers

Panel not sure yet.
Yes on the spars and Mach. parts and glad I did.
 
I am seriously considering selling my RV-12 sub kits and buying the Onex to build. I went up to the factory for the builders workshop and it was outstanding. Anyone thinking about the Sonex, Onex, etc, go to the builders workshop. I really like the idea of an aerobatic LSA with folding wings that I can fit into the hangar with another plane.

Carl
I didn't have an RV going together but "yep" to the rest, all for the same reasons.
 
Updates???

Ed is right, the big stuff went together fast ,easy and accurate.
The devil is in the details. And there are a lot of details.
The Onex kit is great but one complaint is the required hardware kit you get from Spruce or Wicks does not match up perfectly with what is called out on the drawings and a few places you need a different bolt or screw than what is called out on an assembly.From what I have found out it is Sonex not updating Spruce and Wicks. Tech support is great at Sonex but if they improved there assembly drawings with more detail you wouldn't have to call them as much:yes:
I'm a first time builder so there a lot of figuring,reading ,figuring,reading,etc. before something can be done.
One suggestion ,preassemble with regular nuts, then when everything is ready for final/permanent then use the nylock nuts. I've been told to use the nylocks only once.
The kit would also be farther along if I would give up my regular job, flying the Cherokee, fishing, travel, motorcycle,social activities,etc.,etc. etc.:wink2:
 
Using plain nuts sounds like a great way to forget to swap all of them out to me.


PS, you can reuse nylocs...
 
Using plain nuts sounds like a great way to forget to swap all of them out to me.


PS, you can reuse nylocs...
Ok then that's nice to hear. I probably wouldn't forget as I go through and mark off completions with a red pen ,no red red pen sign off --not complete.
 
Ed is right, the big stuff went together fast ,easy and accurate.
The devil is in the details. And there are a lot of details.
The Onex kit is great but one complaint is the required hardware kit you get from Spruce or Wicks does not match up perfectly with what is called out on the drawings and a few places you need a different bolt or screw than what is called out on an assembly.From what I have found out it is Sonex not updating Spruce and Wicks. Tech support is great at Sonex but if they improved there assembly drawings with more detail you wouldn't have to call them as much:yes:
I'm a first time builder so there a lot of figuring,reading ,figuring,reading,etc. before something can be done.
One suggestion ,preassemble with regular nuts, then when everything is ready for final/permanent then use the nylock nuts. I've been told to use the nylocks only once.
The kit would also be farther along if I would give up my regular job, flying the Cherokee, fishing, travel, motorcycle,social activities,etc.,etc. etc.:wink2:

Hang in there ... you'll have fun with it. I just finished my Sonex and am flying off the Phase 1 testing. Started 6/25/12 .. certified 4/1/13. But I'm an old retired guy and worked on it full time.

RT
 
Hang in there ... you'll have fun with it. I just finished my Sonex and am flying off the Phase 1 testing. Started 6/25/12 .. certified 4/1/13. But I'm an old retired guy and worked on it full time.

RT

Thanks for the encouragement, glad to hear you're flying yours.
I'm an old not yet retired guy with more projects than I know what to do with.
Besides the ONEX, I take care of my open to the public airport 6Y9 (grass), like to fish,and have a lot of Honey Do projects that if I don't get them done I may not live long enough to fly the ONEX:wink2:
It also doesn't help that I,m now going to change out the mech. brakes for the new Hyd. one's,also changing 11.400 X 5 tires to 5.00X5 tires
I hope Sonex doesn't come out with too many more upgrades:wink2:
 
Hang in there ... you'll have fun with it. I just finished my Sonex and am flying off the Phase 1 testing. Started 6/25/12 .. certified 4/1/13. But I'm an old retired guy and worked on it full time.

RT

That's impressive even for full time building! Any pics online?
 
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