Non RV: Spent the ENTIRE day at Sonex!!

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cjensen
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Non RV: Spent the ENTIRE day at Sonex!!

Post by cjensen »

Hey guys! I spent the whole day at the Sonex factory in Ohskosh today, and hung out with John Monnett and his wife Betty. John and Betty cooked lunch for us! It was a neat day looking at old pictures and letting John remember things he hadn't thought about for years. A friend of mine is writing a book about the Monnett's and their creations, and we were there for a research day. I'll post some pics tomorrow, but it was a really neat day! 8) 8)
Chad Jensen
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svanarts
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Post by svanarts »

The Sonex is a really interesting airplane. On my recent trip to Tennessee the only aviation related thing I got to do was to go out to the local airport and see what was going on. I ran into an off-duty police officer who had a Sonex he had built on the field. I got to go take a look at it and it was a nice little plane. Also a friend of mine who works for American Airlines is building a Sonex. He researched all the kit planes and really liked what he saw with Sonex.

A Sonex has plenty of rivets to bang too!

Sounds like a fun day!
Scott VanArtsdalen
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Post by Spike »

We just had one complete its first flight with a Jabiru at the home field. Its a fast and quiet little guy. And its built with blind rivets, what a deal!!
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captain_john
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Post by captain_john »

I looked very closely at the Sonex too!

You really need to be a builder to make one of those! WAY too much skill required for this kid!

We have a guy around here who did one from PLANS and installed a JAB engine.

LOTSA WORK!

:) CJ
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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

Okay, here are some pics from yesterdays trip to Sonex...BTW, this is a flight tale...we took an Arrow. Sorry I missed ya Will!

Here's the ONE AND ONLY Monex. You could put your index finger on the spinner, push down, and raise the tail!!
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Here's a couple of me wearing the thing! Yes, It's very hard to get in and out of! And, yes you do lay down in it...
Image
Image

And finally, the very generous John and Betty Monnett, getting ready to cook us some lunch!
Image

This is inside their main office/hanger! Sweet!!
Image
Chad Jensen
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captain_john
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Post by captain_john »

That is a really cool place! I like the main office!!!

I can't wait til my plane is done so I can check out all these cool places!!!

:mrgreen: CJ
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Womack2005
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Post by Womack2005 »

I've seen those things in the pattern there many times. They always outrun the archer (of course that isn't really saying much :mrgreen: )

Sorry I couldn't break away from work or I would have come down there Chad. I havn't been to the facility yet.

I just got back last night from a trip to Michigan. I actually had to drive!!! Yuk - that really sucked.
Will
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N200PF
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Post by N200PF »

VERY COOL CHAD!!!

Hey is the Vne really 245 on that thing?!? :o

- Peter
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cjensen
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Post by cjensen »

Uh...yep! Unbelievable! They were crazy to fly that thing!! :o :o :o
Chad Jensen
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JohnR
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Post by JohnR »

Nice report Chad. I have a friend in Cedar Rapids that has a Sonex with a Jab in it. I have flown it a little with him and it is a nice plane, very light on the controls, quite a bit lighter than the RV's I've flown. Also a bit of a tight fit for me.

The funny part is that everytime he introduces me to someone he says "This is John, I took him flying in my Sonex and he was so impressed that he is building an RV." :) It always gets a good laugh. The Sonex is a nice plane, just small for us over 6 footers.
JohnR
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