I Sold My Sonex, Here's Why

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  • Опубликовано: 5 янв 2023
  • It's been a tough year and I had to make a tougher decision, but Excel doesn't lie. I'm on to new things and making changes now to be where I want to be.
    👍👍👍 Thanks for watching! 👍👍👍
    #leftseatlife #sonexaircraft #experimentalaircraft #sonex #taildragger #revmaster #diy #homebuilt #kitplane #lightsportaircraft #lightsport #aviation #generalaviation #lsa #affordableaviation #cheapflying
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Комментарии • 52

  • @ronuyeyama4020
    @ronuyeyama4020 Год назад +2

    Hey I really enjoyed watching your channel. It has given me inspiration to keep building my sonex. Best wishes to you

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      This right here. 👆👆👆👆👆👆
      This is why I first pressed record back in 2020 when I started on mine. Thanks for the kind words and keep going!

  • @Blaircraft.Engines
    @Blaircraft.Engines Год назад +3

    Big decisions aren’t always easy that’s for sure.
    Love the path you’re taking and looking forward to hearing more! Stay safe!

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      It's true, thanks buddy! Likewise with that $3k excavator... ($3k excavator?!?!, yup check out his channel. 😉)

  • @michaeltreacysr.983
    @michaeltreacysr.983 Год назад +4

    Matt, I had to wait until I was 67 to own a plane. I bought an RV-12. I am hangared down at KDYL. My plane is getting worked on but the first thing that came into my mind was pulling the N767CF out of the hangar and offering you a ride. I had wanted to visit your field and just kept going to Ocean City this past summer. Will watch for your videos on earning your A&P. Mike Treacy

  • @vanzairinc
    @vanzairinc Год назад +1

    yes I remember seeing it on barnstormers and it was nice talking with you. I am happy to see you start the next chapter of your life. Congradulations

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      Thanks man, enjoyed sharing some lessons learned with ya as well. Can't wait to see that RV-8 come together!

  • @MSingleton48
    @MSingleton48 Год назад +3

    I know how you feel watching your Sonex fly off to a new home. For medical reasons I decided to sell mine after 17 years of great fun and experiences. Good luck with your new course.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Hey Mike, I remember your plane and your contributions to the Sonex community. (Including the podcast episodes.) When I got mine, it frustrated me how few A&Ps were willing to touch a Sonex or any Experimental. My goal is to be one that will, we'll see where that goes. Thanks!

  • @chrishrabe4617
    @chrishrabe4617 Год назад +1

    Hey, just found your video, and your path is similar to mine as I recently sold a dandy RV that I built and changed careers in my 50’s to become an apprentice mechanic working towards an A&P license. Good luck!!

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      Awesome, thanks for stopping by and congrats on the new opportunity! (Good looking RV too..)

  • @aviationtherapy
    @aviationtherapy Год назад +1

    Sorry to see that you have sold your Sonex. I bought one a few months back and I am in the process of installing Matco wheels and brakes. Good luck to you in the future and I hope to see you flying again soon.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      Awesome, the matcos are definitely the way to go. Thanks, I'll be airborne again!

  • @WorkshopGreg
    @WorkshopGreg Год назад +1

    Hard decision, but it sounds like you're thinking of your future. Looking forward to seeing more about your AP journey.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Absolutely, but investing in yourself always pays out dividends. I've started filming some content during my hour commute home, but working out some technical gremlins. Let me know if you have any questions or if there's some points you want to see covered.

  • @wallymurray620
    @wallymurray620 Год назад +3

    Hi Matt, this had to be a tough decision to make and just as tough video to make.
    But the good news is working towards that AP rating and actually being able to see the end, good on ya.
    Keep those videos coming so we can follow the progress and all the best to you.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Indeed, I intentionally closed the hangar door and filmed it right after the plane left to capture the reality of it all. Took me a couple weeks to actually put it out. (Still kinda emotional cleaning out my hangar yesterday.) BUT, I really am happy to finally be working towards my A&P and am extremely appreciative of the opportunity I've been given. And really, the Sonex helped open the door for it.

    • @wallymurray620
      @wallymurray620 Год назад +1

      Good to hear Matt.
      Sounds like your in a little better place now than you were right after the plane left.
      I really do hope you’ll keep putting out videos, especially one now with your A&P adventures.
      And if possible stay in touch with Mark as the Sonex high wing comes more to pass, those videos you did with him were top notch.
      Take care.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Will do. I'm commuting an hour each way at the moment so time to film and edit had definitely gone down. But that's where interviews shine! Absolutely plan on having Mark on again.

  • @LeanofPeakAviation
    @LeanofPeakAviation Год назад +1

    Hey man congrats on the new journey. Look forward to seeing your progress!

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      Thanks dude, congrats on selling yours as well. Got a B model picked out yet?

    • @LeanofPeakAviation
      @LeanofPeakAviation Год назад +1

      @@LeftSeatAdventures Just gonna sit back and watch a while. Something will turn up!

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      Yup, it's a good time to be in a cash position. Enjoy the hunt!

  • @mandrake181071
    @mandrake181071 Год назад +2

    Hey Matt.... I know how hard it must be to let it go. It is really expensive to own a plane, and people don't understand the sacrifices some of us make to make it happen. Stick with it....and don't forget about your flying dreams. Maybe look for a local EAA chapter.....those guys would likely eagerly reward you for your new A&P skills......and the chapters are a great way to meet and learn how to make flying possible. If you're ever up in the golden horseshoe of Ontario Canada....I've got a right seat in a straight tail 172 for you. All the best in what the future may hold.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Thanks Jean, yup on to a new season of life. (My wife says the next one HAS to be a 4 seater...) It's certainly not getting easier to own an aircraft at the moment either. Watching the parts and maintenance costs constantly going up from the shop perspective has been nuts. Ooo, I do love straight tail Cessnas.. 👍👍👍

  • @AlexDenton0451
    @AlexDenton0451 Год назад +2

    For me, I'm gonna be trying to get my commercial license in the next year here.
    It's gonna be tough, but I'm hoping that at the end of it I'll be able to work as a pilot and love my job every day.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Awesome! It can turn into a grind, but you just have to power through. Kudos to you for going after it! 👍👍👍

  • @jimmyoverly3512
    @jimmyoverly3512 5 месяцев назад +1

    Just stumbled across your channel looking for info on Sonex. I keep going back and forth on ownership. Depending on how I'm feeling I can make the rent/buy spreadsheet tell me anything. "But what if I want to fly 300 hours this year and gas is only $4/gallon? I'd be stupid NOT to own" LOL...meanwhile I'm lucky if I get 2 hrs a month in. And then I reminder about renting the 3 F's.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  5 месяцев назад

      Hahaha, it's true! Yea, I definitely didn't fly it as much as I dreamed I would. I'm really keeping an eye open for a good equity based flying club. It can be the best of both worlds.

  • @emsbuff25
    @emsbuff25 Год назад +1

    This makes me sad. We will miss you in the Sonex community man. Best of luck with your aviation endeavors in the future. -Tim N307TW

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      Hey Tim, thanks for the kind words! It was a tough decision, but I'm not out forever. Currently saving my pennies for the new Highwing. How's the "Badass B" coming along?

  • @edmondthompson1523
    @edmondthompson1523 9 месяцев назад +1

    Excellent long term decisions. A&Ps are in high demand. You should be able to do well and build your next Sonex. Good luck!

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  9 месяцев назад

      Thanks Edmond, I appreciate that! 👍

    • @edmondthompson1523
      @edmondthompson1523 9 месяцев назад +1

      I teach at an A&P school in Everett WA. If you’re in the area…

  • @glsracer
    @glsracer Год назад +3

    If you can make the A&P thing work in your area, more power to you. I got my A&P almost 18 years ago and only worked on planes for around 5 years before going management. It's a tough job once you get older. Aviation is also very subject to layoffs and the amount of job insecurity is too much for a lot of people. Unless you plan to work for the airlines, I always advise people to do something else as a career. Most of the industry just won't pay what's required to make a decent living.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Thanks, I feel like I got into the right place at the right time, but we'll see what happens and what opportunities present themselves. I've seen the physical toll on my IA as well and it is a consideration. He's been with this company for 35 years, but very few can say that anymore. A positive thing I've seen here is that, at least for now, the company is choosing to invest in it's employees growth. Something that definitely doesn't happen everywhere. I've experienced the progression a company will make from doing so to not and what comes next. Thanks for sharing!

    • @glsracer
      @glsracer Год назад +2

      @@LeftSeatAdventures definitely, small companies that invest in their employees are where to be. Unfortunately those are few and far between now. My last full time aviation job was with one of those companies. When it went out of business I couldn't really find anything that wasn't super corporate that also seemed to treat employees well. It's a hard balance to maintain because the aviation industry is so unstable, margins can be thin, and maintenance is expensive. Good luck going forward though. In either case, I have never regretted getting my A&P. I was always good at fixing things but my A&P took that up a few notches. Anything from house repairs to modern cars are no issue for me to repair with a little research. It's hard to gain such a wide range of knowledge following a lot of trade school curriculums.

  • @virtualcarrierwing3429
    @virtualcarrierwing3429 6 месяцев назад +1

    Big decision. I’ve enjoyed your videos and look forward to what’s coming. Good luck on the night wing build in the future.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  6 месяцев назад

      Thank you! I'm looking forward to building, that's for sure. It appears Sonex has postponed development of the high wing in favor of the 2 place jet, but that's really not surprising. Honestly works better for my timing anyway.

  • @Mike-01234
    @Mike-01234 Год назад +1

    Always heard A&P's make 20-24 an hour working for someone else. If you can own a business, you can make lot more. With lot of new people getting into General Aviation building assist with experimental aircraft would be a good business to get into. With assistance in building and transitioning training could put a package deal together.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Before recent inflation, I would've said an apprentice starts ~$20/hr with an A&P fresh out of school ~$25/hr (based on location, more in Chicago, less in rural TN.) Repair stations have had to increase these rates to attract talent. The big money working for the man is in the airlines, freight ops and avionics and can be over $50/hr. But yes, having your own business can have a lot more freedom of both financial and time.

  • @marcjohnson4884
    @marcjohnson4884 Год назад +1

    Good luck in your AandP endeavor!

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад

      Thanks Marc, learning new stuff everyday and it's great to finally be doing it!

  • @weekendhack.whatsnext
    @weekendhack.whatsnext Год назад +1

    Best of luck man. I think you will make a good AP.

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  Год назад +1

      Thanks man! Going through the Sonex definitely helped open up the door. (Ironically, I started out using the same blue Harbor Freight tool cart you have in your vids at the repair station. Just mounted the side box as I ran out of room fast.)

    • @weekendhack.whatsnext
      @weekendhack.whatsnext Год назад +1

      @@LeftSeatAdventures I have always been a Craftsman guy and have a number of their chests but that little blue Harbor freight one is one of my favorite because it is just convenient.

  • @stealhty1
    @stealhty1 4 месяца назад +1

    Im sorry to hear you have to let it go

    • @LeftSeatAdventures
      @LeftSeatAdventures  4 месяца назад +1

      Thanks! It was tough but I needed to make a change for time being. I still plan on building a Sonex High Wing, so stay tuned.

  • @vanzairinc
    @vanzairinc Год назад +1

    First ... LoL

  • @donwoodward2615
    @donwoodward2615 Год назад

    Any aircraft with a Hitler engine is a good one to let go.

    • @marcjohnson4884
      @marcjohnson4884 Год назад +1

      I have a Limbach VW based engine on my MG and bought a spare engine for it. It's a 65. Wish it had more horsepower. Its simple to work on though. Mechanics are way smarter than pilots. Good luck in the new direction!