Onex

[mike moulai]

I am trying to guage the interest for the new Onex single seat folding wing design from Sonex as I am thinking of trying to gain UK approval for it and adding it to theofferings from Silver Fern Microlights.
Check it out at www.sonexaircraft.com

Cheers Mike

[mikehallam]

Mike,

Being, on paper, better looking than the cheapo Vans 12, several P1 friends are attracted by the functional Sonex range now it's LAA accepted.

I looked at the Onex link.
Dimensions seem to lack the wing fold essential height ?
Also no figs, for either estimated, or true, take off performance etc..

With the same VW derivative for power it's fairly heavy, has lowish fuel capacity (~50L) and can't cost a lot less or time to build (?) than their equivalent two seater.

The latter's performance solo might be worth comparing too ?

Meanwhile I'm trying to garner VW info. for RansMail, to compare the multitude of variations as you will have possibly seen. Currently Sauer appears more attractive as it's said to have a dedicated crankcase, otherwise one of the VW's Achilles heels ??
However I bet the firewall fittings would be another hassle for LAA approval.

mike hallam.

[Nick Allen]

Mike, I was expecting your email to have stirred more interest... Anyway, my 5¢.

I thought the Onex looked very sweet when I first saw the drawings and then the photos. And I still think it looks good!

Are the performance figures Sonex have on their website now based on flight test data? For a long time the numbers there were predicted performance. I think it would be crucial to have complete actual flight test data.

As Mike H noted, it's quite heavy -- only 20lb less empty weight than a Sonex, and the take off/landing distances are given the same as the Sonex (VW engined).

There are very few kit single-seaters with LAA approval (plenty of plans-build types, but few kits), so it doesn't have a lot of direct competition; on the other hand, building a single-seater is still a fairly niche activity!

I'd note that the difference in cost of the airframe kit between in the Sonex and Onex is only $1500 -- you've got to really want that single-seater!

But it is a neat looking little thing!

As another product thought: what about the Xenos? I'm biased because I fly and like motorgliders, but this looks like a good all-round package. Also, there is very little in the way of Permit motorgliding options at the moment: some Fourniers (getting rare and expensive), Europa (finally...and also expensive: but the only new-build option I think), the odd Motor Tutor... Although motorgliding is also a niche, I think it's one that might become popular with every-rising fuel costs. If you could get the Xenos cleared for aerobatics, then there would be something new for all those frustrated RF4 pilots to get their hands on. I corresponded with a Xenos owner/builder in Arizona last year, and he reckoned it was the best-kept secret of the Sonex range (though he too was possibly biased!).

Look forward to hearing what your plans are!

Nick

[Brian Hope]

I too like the look of the Onex but would be reticent about taking it through UK approval. The Sonex should have been selling better than it has, it's a neat little aeroplane, a poor(er) man's RV and good value in the £20 - £25K sector (with AeroVee). If aerobatic approval was forthecoming it would make it an even more enticing option. Single seaters, even cute ones with folding wings, have limited appeal, as indeed do motorgliders.

[Nick Allen]

As a crude single-seat vs. two-seat comparison, there are 6 RV-3s on the UK register, only three of which have current Permits, and 34 RV-4s (couldn't be bothered to count the Permits!). That's "nicher" than I thought!

[RobW]

Tipsy nipper is an affordable aerobatic mount, which accounts for its popularity! If it can be cleared for aeros I reckon there will be a good deal of interest in the Onex for the same reason.