AirPigz Podcast #3 - Interview With John Monnett Of Sonex Aircraft

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Sonex Aircraft president John Monnett at their Oshkosh, Wisconsin headquarters

 I met up with John Monnett at the Sonex Aircraft headquarters on the Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on Friday, February 20, 2009.  The 53 minute podcast gives some nice insight into the design philosophy behind the Sonex and Waiex airplanes which produces a flying machine that has both excellent low and high speed qualities... while also being extremely affordable and relatively easy to build.

  We also go over how John got involved in aviation, including the early years of primitive and expensive RC modeling.  And we talk about some of the influences that lead him to design the Sonerai airplanes back in the 70's.    John covers what the 'Sonex Workshops' are all about and why anyone considering building any kind of metal airplane can benefit from them.

 We talk quite a bit about the 80hp AeroVee VW conversion engine that they build.  It's the base engine recommended for Sonex airplanes, but also is very well suited to any airplane project in need of a lightweight and reliable powerplant.

 Lastly, John gives some interesting details on their development of a custom-built electric motor, controller and battery pack for making practical electric flight a dream that might actually come true!

Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos airplanes in the Sonex Aircraft showroom

The "Y" tail Waiex in flight

 

Typical AeroVee engine installation in a Sonex

John Monnett's AeroConversions modified VW engine: AeroVee 2180cc, 80hp, 161lbs. 

Sonex engineered and built electric motor, controller and battery pack nearing reality

 

On 1-7-09, the Waiex won the tongue-in-cheek AirPigz Homebuilt Of The Year award

Comments

[erick flaschka]

si me pueden pasar las caracteristicas tecnicas del motor vw avionizado.gracias

[lederm]

Thanks for you share it!!!!!!!