Great Preview Bryan! I have spent a bit of time working with a Moni and a Waiex so love the light, simple, metal construction that Sonex have. but a cantilevered high wing like the Whitman Tailwinds just adds functionality and efficiency as well. Can't wait to see if it lives up to the expectations.
Great job, Bryan. Awesome to see this video out so early. The Highwing looks like an ideal airplane for my needs and I can't wait to see them get it flying.
@@markthibault8579 Seeing the airplane in person, bubble doors won't help much. Your elbows are at / behind the rear door frame, so the bubble would be mostly non-usable space. See other aircraft like the Rans S-21 where the peak of the bubble in the door is right at your shoulder & elbow. Sonex (or someone aftermarket) may offer bubble doors because it seems like "the high wing thing" that all manufacturers do, but probably a waste of time and $ to do here.
Van's missed the mark with the RV-15. I really like everything about this high wing so far especially the cabin width, cantilever wing and of course cost vs performance (which Sonex always gets right!). I'm building a Onex though, and the build is very frustrating. I really wish Sonex would include more step by step instructions and more notes like "hey don't over look this critical irreversible feature!" I'm an A&P and I've made some time consuming & expensive mistakes. I'm not knocking Sonex, they are a good company with good customer support. Thanks for the video Bryan.
What did Vans miss with the RV-15? It has good performance, plenty of baggage room, full metal. Yes it will be expensive, but none of their aircraft are cheap anymore. It has a completely different mission than the Sonex
Thanks for continuing to cover this aircraft's development, Bryan. The more I learn about it, the more excited I get. If they can really get that kit out the door for under $40k, they'll have a license to print money. That will comfortably undercut Van's and Kitfox, and will be very competitive with the Rans S-20 Courier and the Zenith CH-701. I'd be interested to hear Mark's opinion on larger tires for off-airport ops; the shopping cart wheels on that fuselage are just comical. Is that gear system up to a back-country mission?
looks like a serious contender ,and cost effective , room to sleep over in the back ,hopefully a floats option in the works . I am wondering has anyone used the graphene paints on alloy yet ? should be significant weight savings ,and longevity ,if their hype stands up .and do we need titanium rivets asap for metal birds ,or what !?.
This looks a winner all around. What took so long? High wing is much more practical in many respects. Folding wings and they’ll have it out of the park.
As one commentator mentioned, Van's blew the RV-15, it is OK for the "bush" crowd, but not the common weekend pilot. I like the easy entry. As much as I have tried to stop time, it will not cooperate, and I need easy entry. The insurance company has decided that I should not fly a tail wheel , so there goes 50 years of Taildragger experience. There are a lot of us'ns that need an aircraft to cover the mature, experienced lot of pilots.
I’m building a RV-14 and if this kit was available I’d sell off for this one. It’s not as fast and not quite as roomy but ticks a lot of boxes I want. Hope it makes production.
I love taildraggers just as much as the rest of you guys but is there a nose wheel option in development? That really would make the deal for me. Great video, I really appreciate your content.👍
OK Sonex, no messing around this time! Yes I know you have your own VW-based engine and a liking for Jabiru. But can we have a well-sorted installation package from the Rotax 912 please?
I'm sure their engineer knows what he's doing but how did he manage to deal with the loads that the giant doors in the side must create? The floor are is too shallow to act as much of a beam, so all the loads must go up those two window pillars and into the wing center section. Would love to see the FEA on this.
BIG box-sections under the seat, if that's what you're thinking about. There was a little screen shot of some FEA in their February '23 webinar. Nothing color coded to stresses, but you might get an idea from there. The cantilever wing actually has LESS loads in the fuselage than a strut-braced wing. Strut braced puts all sorts of compression into the structure surrounding the door openings as the wing lift loads try to crush the fuselage with the tension in the struts. With cantilever wing, the fuselage can be much more open as a structure "hanging" from the wing. See Cessna C-177 Cardinal for some big whopping doors in a cantilever high-wing airframe.
I like high wings better in these smaller ones if you flip over can still get out of them. Most of the tub style low wing if end up flipped over can't open the canopy. This looks like going to be a good seller for the company if he can keep it in the 30k range for the entire kit less engine this could be a game changer for high wing plane. I like to see a tricycle gear version also not everyone likes tail wheel planes nothing worse then landing in gusting wind and scrape a wing tip or worse ground loop.
I'm just a former customer/builder who did the factory tour last year (2023) and this year (2024), and to my eye, the 2-seat jet is LESS assembled this year than it was last year. I can't say that's progress or not, but I think this Highwing is where many more sales will be made.
They use a special trailer to transport the aircraft. I have invented hook so I can connect aircraft straight behind car. Ofcourse, speed is Limited to 20mph. Anyway, can it go with 25hp engine?
Those triangle rear windows, more like viewports, and very good to have. My CTLS has those windows and they are a great improvement over the CTSW. Eliminating additional view just for perceived aesthetics is not a good thing.
I sat in it multiple times last week at Airventure. I'm 6'-1". It's going to depend on how much of your height is in the legs vs torso. Seats have a structural beam behind them so they can't go back more, but the headroom was MUCH more than in my Sonex. They also had generously padded seat cushions in the Highwing on display last week, so you'll be able to get some more space with a thinner, higher-density seat cushion. Before making the investment, I think you'll need to just try it to see.
How about a “Fatboy” variant designed to use one of the Deltahawk engines. I don’t care if it increases drag a bit… make it 18 inches wider so I can take my fat brother up and so we can still have a center console with cup holders. Talk about a flying pickup! Not everybody wants a Prius. I can afford the diesel.
I can't wait until they announce that only rich people will be able to afford this aircraft as well! Let's keep the dream alive and the riff raff on the ground people. Having said that, it does look pretty darn sharp!!! Can't wait to see it finished!
I have a bunch of C140 time. It's really not a recreation of the C140, nor is it chinese. What it is - a Sonex with better useful load than the legacy designs, which means also that it has a better useful load than most C140s.
Sheesh. Its just another 1930's highwing design. Aerobatic...So is the Cessna Aerobat. And that landing gear does not say " Off Airport" surface to me. Snap.
From other videos on it I've watched, the focus is not for an off-airport machine. I'm sure it will handle grass and gravel strips just fine though, maybe with some larger wheels than what's on their display build.
My Sonex has the same gear design. It's been pretty robust. As mentioned in the video it is a larger diameter strut. They have some pretty solid engineering at Sonex, and it is not a 1930's design in any way. I've never flown an Aerobat, but plenty of acro in my Waiex and other aircraft and the Sonex aircraft are great for aerobatics.
Good to see a strutless wing plane , looks so much better .
I am the most excited about this kit! Can't wait to see it in the air
Sonex Highwing 👍👍Your always bringing fantastic content Bryon!👍👍
Another great video! Appreciate the job you're doing of sharing. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to the highwing Sonex specs and cost.
Really enjoyed seeing how this plane is put together. Great video!
Wow! What an exciting addition to the homebuilt landscape. Looking forward to following the progress if this one.
I always enjoy your video
Great Preview Bryan! I have spent a bit of time working with a Moni and a Waiex so love the light, simple, metal construction that Sonex have. but a cantilevered high wing like the Whitman Tailwinds just adds functionality and efficiency as well. Can't wait to see if it lives up to the expectations.
Great job, Bryan. Awesome to see this video out so early. The Highwing looks like an ideal airplane for my needs and I can't wait to see them get it flying.
Also, it would be good to know if the doors will have a bow to them for a more room.
@@markthibault8579 Seeing the airplane in person, bubble doors won't help much. Your elbows are at / behind the rear door frame, so the bubble would be mostly non-usable space. See other aircraft like the Rans S-21 where the peak of the bubble in the door is right at your shoulder & elbow. Sonex (or someone aftermarket) may offer bubble doors because it seems like "the high wing thing" that all manufacturers do, but probably a waste of time and $ to do here.
Very exciting and hits lots of the check boxes!!
Great coverage, always love your videos.
Van's missed the mark with the RV-15. I really like everything about this high wing so far especially the cabin width, cantilever wing and of course cost vs performance (which Sonex always gets right!). I'm building a Onex though, and the build is very frustrating. I really wish Sonex would include more step by step instructions and more notes like "hey don't over look this critical irreversible feature!" I'm an A&P and I've made some time consuming & expensive mistakes. I'm not knocking Sonex, they are a good company with good customer support. Thanks for the video Bryan.
What did Vans miss with the RV-15? It has good performance, plenty of baggage room, full metal. Yes it will be expensive, but none of their aircraft are cheap anymore. It has a completely different mission than the Sonex
My kid and I built a Waiex. We found the plans easy to follow. Sonex tech support and the sonexbuilders forum is always there when you are confused.
@@ethanlegrand33exactly
Thanks for continuing to cover this aircraft's development, Bryan. The more I learn about it, the more excited I get.
If they can really get that kit out the door for under $40k, they'll have a license to print money. That will comfortably undercut Van's and Kitfox, and will be very competitive with the Rans S-20 Courier and the Zenith CH-701.
I'd be interested to hear Mark's opinion on larger tires for off-airport ops; the shopping cart wheels on that fuselage are just comical. Is that gear system up to a back-country mission?
Yes, this looks real nice. I am thinking those wheels and tires are only for pre production mobility purposes
I recall them saying in a webinar a while ago that it’s not a backcountry aircraft.
It's not intended for serious backcountry off-airport use from what's been said so far.
Nice! Reminds me of Wittman's Tailwind.
@@patrickkenney1080 That's a deliberate design feature apparently.
looks like a serious contender ,and cost effective , room to sleep over in the back ,hopefully a floats option in the works . I am wondering has anyone used the graphene paints on alloy yet ? should be significant weight savings ,and longevity ,if their hype stands up .and do we need titanium rivets asap for metal birds ,or what !?.
It looks like the Viking 140hp Baby Turbo would be a great pairing for this Sonex Highwing. Please make it so.
with the Viking 140 BT about what would the FW be less than 200 Lbs?
Yes
Quite looking forward to the first flight video!
Epic taxi 👍
That is going to be a pretty plane! Good design and well thought out, look forward to this beast flying, thanks for the preview Bryan 🙂
Lots of " Pretty" planes look different after stall spin
@@michaelpilot1000I'd say every plane doesn't look good after a stall spin, your point?
@@michaelpilot1000 My Sonex still looks great after stalls & spins.
looks nice
Excelente excelente 👍🏼✈️🛫🛬🛩️
nice
Thankfully, it looks like tall pilots will fit alright!
I'm waiting for the deposit window to open! It's looking even better in metal.
This looks a winner all around. What took so long? High wing is much more practical in many respects. Folding wings and they’ll have it out of the park.
As one commentator mentioned, Van's blew the RV-15, it is OK for the "bush" crowd, but not the common weekend pilot. I like the easy entry. As much as I have tried to stop time, it will not cooperate, and I need easy entry. The insurance company has decided that I should not fly a tail wheel , so there goes 50 years of Taildragger experience. There are a lot of us'ns that need an aircraft to cover the mature, experienced lot of pilots.
I’m building a RV-14 and if this kit was available I’d sell off for this one. It’s not as fast and not quite as roomy but ticks a lot of boxes I want. Hope it makes production.
I`m seeing a Rotax 916 in this .
I love taildraggers just as much as the rest of you guys but is there a nose wheel option in development? That really would make the deal for me. Great video, I really appreciate your content.👍
Nosewheel is in the works from other videos I've watched. I too prefer them.
Can one person remove and or install the wings?
What about the Rotax 916 or 915?
OK Sonex, no messing around this time!
Yes I know you have your own VW-based engine and a liking for Jabiru.
But can we have a well-sorted installation package from the Rotax 912 please?
I'm sure their engineer knows what he's doing but how did he manage to deal with the loads that the giant doors in the side must create? The floor are is too shallow to act as much of a beam, so all the loads must go up those two window pillars and into the wing center section. Would love to see the FEA on this.
BIG box-sections under the seat, if that's what you're thinking about. There was a little screen shot of some FEA in their February '23 webinar. Nothing color coded to stresses, but you might get an idea from there. The cantilever wing actually has LESS loads in the fuselage than a strut-braced wing. Strut braced puts all sorts of compression into the structure surrounding the door openings as the wing lift loads try to crush the fuselage with the tension in the struts. With cantilever wing, the fuselage can be much more open as a structure "hanging" from the wing. See Cessna C-177 Cardinal for some big whopping doors in a cantilever high-wing airframe.
Where can I find you at Oshkosh tommorow?
At least you do not have far to go to get to the show and you can go home every night. I live in YYZ and is a whole day drive to get here.
are you gonna put something up about your trip to osh? Saw it on BrYan's vid.
17:35 Ford Tri-Motor? Flying Midwest calls it "the great deceiver"
I like high wings better in these smaller ones if you flip over can still get out of them. Most of the tub style low wing if end up flipped over can't open the canopy. This looks like going to be a good seller for the company if he can keep it in the 30k range for the entire kit less engine this could be a game changer for high wing plane. I like to see a tricycle gear version also not everyone likes tail wheel planes nothing worse then landing in gusting wind and scrape a wing tip or worse ground loop.
A very cool cessna!
How’s that SubSonex JSX-2T coming along???
I'm just a former customer/builder who did the factory tour last year (2023) and this year (2024), and to my eye, the 2-seat jet is LESS assembled this year than it was last year. I can't say that's progress or not, but I think this Highwing is where many more sales will be made.
They use a special trailer to transport the aircraft. I have invented hook so I can connect aircraft straight behind car. Ofcourse, speed is Limited to 20mph. Anyway, can it go with 25hp engine?
This should be a winner. I wish they could get rid of the triangle back windows to a less homebuilt design. Think Cess 140 maybe.
Those triangle rear windows, more like viewports, and very good to have. My CTLS has those windows and they are a great improvement over the CTSW. Eliminating additional view just for perceived aesthetics is not a good thing.
@@markmcriley2558 I'm certainly not saying they are not good to have. Read my post. Just saying the plane would look better with a different design.
@Lee-qp6gf I understood what you were saying and I agree completely. The 140 window has a flat leading edge with an elliptical rear.
The low wing has a better fuslage structure.
These guys stick with their earlier structurily style
Bryan, do you think this will fit tall pilots like me? (I’m 6’7)
I sat in it multiple times last week at Airventure. I'm 6'-1". It's going to depend on how much of your height is in the legs vs torso. Seats have a structural beam behind them so they can't go back more, but the headroom was MUCH more than in my Sonex. They also had generously padded seat cushions in the Highwing on display last week, so you'll be able to get some more space with a thinner, higher-density seat cushion. Before making the investment, I think you'll need to just try it to see.
@@shrivelfork_motorsports yep! Definitely plan on heading up to Wisconsin to sit in one at some point in the future
HOW IS WING ATTACHED TO FUSELAGE?
The center section is integral to the fuselage. The outboard sections attach to the center section.
Did you watch the video?
@@wiplashsmile YEP, THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE LIKE MY T-210. LOOKS BEEFY AND STRONG & I WAS CURIOUS, SORRY TO UPSET YOU WITH A QUESTION..
Can't see the runway when landing.
It's no worse than a C140. I think you will be able to see the runway fine.
How about a “Fatboy” variant designed to use one of the Deltahawk engines. I don’t care if it increases drag a bit… make it 18 inches wider so I can take my fat brother up and so we can still have a center console with cup holders. Talk about a flying pickup! Not everybody wants a Prius. I can afford the diesel.
Only tail dragger?
Dont Bro me if you don't know me. Or really anyone for that matter.
highwing aircraft where is the wing??
Bro . China is not our friend. I’ve traveled China extensively for years. Bro don’t promote China stuff just a Thought from a American
Must be a baby boomer.
@@devonlove9095 You must be naive
Bro...bro...lol
@michaelspunich7273 must be baby boomer. You guy are always trying to tell people what to do, who to align with and writing morality clauses.
That's right we are baby boomers and you guys are the zombies if an American company can make it I'll buy from the American company
I can't wait until they announce that only rich people will be able to afford this aircraft as well! Let's keep the dream alive and the riff raff on the ground people. Having said that, it does look pretty darn sharp!!! Can't wait to see it finished!
The Sonex philosophy is to price their airplanes to be comparable to a car. Probably the most bang for the buck.
Just build single piece composite and let titanic rest.
Americans don't want a Chinese C-140 . Sonex failed with this
I have a bunch of C140 time. It's really not a recreation of the C140, nor is it chinese. What it is - a Sonex with better useful load than the legacy designs, which means also that it has a better useful load than most C140s.
*_WOW! I am totally 100 percent so not impressed with this plane. NEXT!_*
Best looking Sonex but still looks like it was drawn left handed with a big, half eaten, crayon
Sheesh. Its just another 1930's highwing design.
Aerobatic...So is the Cessna Aerobat.
And that landing gear does not say " Off Airport" surface to me. Snap.
From other videos on it I've watched, the focus is not for an off-airport machine. I'm sure it will handle grass and gravel strips just fine though, maybe with some larger wheels than what's on their display build.
My Sonex has the same gear design. It's been pretty robust. As mentioned in the video it is a larger diameter strut. They have some pretty solid engineering at Sonex, and it is not a 1930's design in any way. I've never flown an Aerobat, but plenty of acro in my Waiex and other aircraft and the Sonex aircraft are great for aerobatics.