SonexFlight Episode 68: The Last Mile to First Flight

With spring finally here and new builders reading their planes for first flight, new owners getting ready to ferry their newly-purchased Sonex home, and the rest of us thinking about knocking the rust off on our own proficiency, it's time to discuss Transition Training. The Sonex Builders and Pilots Foundation published a training syllabus designed to guide pilots through the process of gaining proficiency to fly their Sonex airplanes, and satisfy their insurance requirements so they can obtain insurance coverage. We review the syllabus, talk with a new Sonex pilot who recently used the syllabus for his own Sonex transition, and offer some practical advice to those looking to train in the future.

Sooner or later it will be time to fly your new Sonex, and there are a few things that you'll want to keep in mind as you prepare for the big day. We speak with two pilots that recently passed that milestone and hear their advice for taking flight.

Each Sonex builder or owner will eventually reach the point where it's time to sell the plane. We discuss a rent experience where an owner sold the plane and hear about the thought process and logistics of how that played out.

The Sonex is a great handling, easy flying sport plane, that flys with absolutely no bad habits. We cover the techniques used on a typical pattern flight, discuss the speeds and performance a pilot will commonly see, and lay down the foundation for flying a Sonex pattern with precision.

Non-builder owners of experimental aircraft show a disturbing trend in the accident data, sometimes running into problems within the first few hours or even the flight home with their new airplane. Experience has highlighted many of the common problem areas a second owner may encounter, and we cover some key advice to keep you out of the NTSB database.

The plane is at the airport and ready to fly, but what items should a builder consider as they make the transition from a builder to an operator? We discuss the objectives, considerations and key info needed for effective project closeout.

One of the great aspects of homebuilt aircraft is the ability to customize and tailor our planes to our own interests and requirements. We speak with builder Jake Logan about his Sonex project and the custom features and modifications he implemented.

Electric power for homebuilt aircraft continues to make great strides to becoming available and practical for homebuilders of average means. Gabe DeVault walks us thru his current aircraft project as he creates an electric powered Xenos.

Sonex airplanes have always been known for light and responsive handling, but sometimes pilots want even more! For pilots wanting superior roll control, Sonex offers the "Acro Aileron" option. We describe the modifications necessary, the pro's and the con's, and help answer whether that option is right for you.

Tim Allen of AllenFlight speaks with us about his wingtip extension modification, and hear about the installation process and results he's achieved.