None in the marketplace right now — see all Sonex Aircrafts on ClearProp →
Overview
The honest-performance two-seater: smallest footprint of the aluminum kits, ~$25,600 realistic complete floor, and a dedicated VW-based engine company under the same roof. Aerobatic-capable (+6/−3 at aerobatic gross), short-field friendly, trailerable with folded wings in some configurations.
Pros
- ✓ Lowest complete-cost of the aluminum two-seaters
- ✓ In-house engine options (AeroVee/Jabiru)
- ✓ Aerobatic-capable compact airframe
Cons
- ✗ Small cabin (42-44 in)
- ✗ Range ~400 miles w/ Jabiru 3300
Full specification
Identity
| Manufacturer | Sonex Aircraft (United States) |
| Status | In production |
| First flight | 1998 |
Classification
| Class | Homebuilt / Kit |
| Build form | Kit |
| Part 103 eligible | No |
| LSA eligible | No |
| Materials | aluminum |
| Gear | taildragger or tri option |
| Mission | cross-country, aerobatic |
Capacity
| Seats | 2 (side-by-side) |
| Engine options | AeroVee 2180 (80 hp VW) · Jabiru 2200 (80 hp) · Jabiru 3300 (120 hp) |
| Power | 80–130 hp |
| Fuel type | mogas/100LL |
Performance
| Cruise | 135 mph |
| Stall | 40 mph |
| Vne | 197 mph |
| Range | 400 sm |
| Climb | 1,400 fpm |
| Ceiling | 23,000 ft |
| Takeoff dist. | 400 ft |
| Landing dist. | 500 ft |
Weights
| Useful load | 530 lb |
| Gross weight | 1,220 lb |
| Empty weight | 620 lb |
Dimensions
| Wingspan | 22 ft |
| Length | 18.08 ft |
| Height | 4.67 ft |
| Wing area | 98 sq ft |
| Cabin width | — |
| Rotor (gyro/trike) | — |
Economics
| Kit price (base) | $15,000 |
| Kit price (complete) | — |
| Plans price | — |
| Est. finished cost | $50,000 |
Compiled from: sonexaircraft.com spec sheet · Wikipedia:Sonex_Aircraft_Sonex · sportaircraft.org.au Sonex costing PDF (2013) — verify current kit pricing with the manufacturer.
Notable variants
- Waiex (Y-tail)
- Onex (single-seat folding-wing)
- SubSonex JSX-2 (microjet)
FAQ
- What does a Sonex really cost flying?
- Sonex says a complete flying kit Sonex can be built for as little as $25,600 (2013 figure; expect $45–60k with 2020s prices and instruments).