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{{Short description|American homebuilt aircraft manufacturer}}
⚫
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{for|Mexican band|Sonex (band)}}
{{for|the Mexican band|Sonex (band)}}
⚫
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Sonex Aircraft, LLC
| name = Sonex Aircraft, LLC
Line 7: Line 9:
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| foundation = 1998
| foundation = 1998
| founder = [[John Monnett (engineer)|John Monnett]]
| location = [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin]], United States
| location = [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin]], United States
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Jeremy Monnett<br />{{small|(Former CEO)}}|Mark Schaible<br />{{small|(CEO)}}}}
⚫
| key_people = John Monnett (founder)<br />Jeremy Monnett (CEO until his death in 2015<ref>https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/june/03/sonex-ceo-jeremy-monnett-killed-in-aircraft-accident</ref>)
| industry = [[Aerospace]]
| industry = [[Aerospace]]
| products = [[Homebuilt aircraft]]
| products =
| revenue =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| operating_income =
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}}
}}


'''Sonex Aircraft, LLC''' is an [[United States|American]] [[kit aircraft]] manufacturer located in [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin|Oshkosh]], [[Wisconsin]], producing kits for four all-metal homebuilt [[monoplane]]s. The company was founded in 1998 by John Monnett, who has designed the [[Monnett Sonerai]] sport aircraft series, [[Monnett Monerai]] sailplane, [[Monnett Moni]] motorglider, and [[Monnett Monex]] racer. Monnett designs are displayed in the [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]] of the National Air and Space Museum near Washington D.C.
'''Sonex Aircraft, LLC''' is an American [[kit aircraft]] manufacturer located in [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin|Oshkosh]], [[Wisconsin]], producing kits for four all-metal homebuilt [[monoplane]]s. The company was founded in 1998 by John Monnett, who has designed the [[Monnett Sonerai]] sport aircraft series, [[Monnett Monerai]] sailplane, [[Monnett Moni]] motorglider, and [[Monnett Monex]] racer.


==History==
In June 2018, John Monnett announced that he will retire and sell the company.<ref name="O'Connor06Jun18">{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sonex-for-Sale-230936-1.html|title = Sonex For Sale|access-date = June 8, 2018|last = O'Connor|first =Kate |work = AVweb|date = June 6, 2018}}</ref>
⚫
[[File:19-5409 Monnett Sonerai IILS (8543451673).jpg|thumb| [[Sonerai]] IILS]]


The company opened a flight center and a {{convert|5,600|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} parts distribution warehouse in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sonex Aircraft News Archive January-February, 2007 |url=http://www.sonexaircraft.com/news/newsarchive72.html |website=Sonex |access-date=29 July 2024 |date=January–February 2007}}</ref>
⚫
==Aircraft==

In 2013, the FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) approved fast-build "51% rule" versions of the Sonex, Waiex, and Onex.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sonex Offers Quick-Build Kits Featuring Prebuilt Major Assemblies|url=http://www.eaa.org/news/2013/2013-07-17_sonex-offers-quick-build-kits.asp|access-date=July 22, 2013}}</ref>
In 2013, the FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) approved fast-build "51% rule" versions of the Sonex, Waiex, and Onex.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sonex Offers Quick-Build Kits Featuring Prebuilt Major Assemblies|url=http://www.eaa.org/news/2013/2013-07-17_sonex-offers-quick-build-kits.asp|access-date=July 22, 2013}}</ref>

⚫
Jeremy Monnett, the son of founder John Monnett Jr. and CEO, was killed in an airplane crash in 2015.<ref>[https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/june/03/sonex-ceo-jeremy-monnett-killed-in-aircraft-accident Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett Killed in Aircraft Accident] [[AOPA]], June 2015</ref>

In June 2018, John Monnett announced his plan to retire and sell the company.<ref name="O'Connor06Jun18">{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sonex-for-Sale-230936-1.html|title = Sonex For Sale|access-date = June 8, 2018|last = O'Connor|first =Kate |work = AVweb|date = June 6, 2018}}</ref> In January 2022, Sonex employee and general manager, Mark Schaible, purchased the assets of Sonex Aircraft LLC and Sonex Aerospace LLC, forming them into a new company, Sonex LLC. Schaible will be owner and president of the new company.<ref name="Phelps04Jan21">{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/long-time-employee-acquires-sonex-assets-all-staff-retained/|title= Longtime Employee Acquires Sonex Assets; All Staff Retained|access-date= 5 January 2022|last= Phelps|first= Mark|work= AVweb|date= 4 January 2022|archive-url= https://archive.today/20220105165833/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/long-time-employee-acquires-sonex-assets-all-staff-retained/?MailingID=805|archive-date= 5 January 2022|url-status= live}}</ref>


In December 2019 the John Monnett-designed [[Sonerai]] was acquired by Sonex Aircraft.<ref name="Cook30Dec19">{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/sonerai-kit-aircraft-comes-home/|title = Sonerai Kit Aircraft Comes Home|access-date = December 15, 2019|last =Cook |first =Marc |work =AVweb |date = December 30, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200102224123/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/sonerai-kit-aircraft-comes-home/|archive-date =January 2, 2020 }}</ref>
In December 2019 the John Monnett-designed [[Sonerai]] was acquired by Sonex Aircraft.<ref name="Cook30Dec19">{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/sonerai-kit-aircraft-comes-home/|title = Sonerai Kit Aircraft Comes Home|access-date = December 15, 2019|last =Cook |first =Marc |work =AVweb |date = December 30, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200102224123/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/sonerai-kit-aircraft-comes-home/|archive-date =January 2, 2020 }}</ref>


The company rolled out a prototype highwing aircraft in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fores |first1=Kerry |title=Sonex Rolls Out Highwing Protoype |url=http://www.kitplanes.com/sonex-rolls-out-highwing-protoype |access-date=29 July 2024 |work=Kitplanes |date=21 July 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; font-size:90%;"

==Products==
⚫
===Aircraft===
⚫
[[File:Sub Sonex JSX-1.jpg|thumb|[[Sonex Aircraft SubSonex|Sub Sonex JSX-1]]]]
⚫
[[File:Sonex-Onex.jpg|thumb|Sonex Onex]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
|+ style="text-align:center; background:#bfd7ff;"| '''Summary of aircraft kits and plans by Sonex Aircraft'''
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! Model name
! Model name
! First flight
! First flight
Line 41: Line 55:


|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Monnett Sonerai|Sonerai]]'''
|align=left| [[Monnett Sonerai|Sonerai]]
|align=center| 1971
|align=center| 1971
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=left| family of single and two-seat aircraft
|align=left| Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Sonex Aircraft Sonex|Sonex]]'''
|align=left| [[Sonex Aircraft Sonex|Sonex]]
|align=center| 2000 (customer built)
|align=center| 2000 (customer built)
|align=center| 500 by 2014<ref>{{cite journal|magazine=Sport Aviation|date=January 2015|page=14|title=Sonex reports 500th completion}}</ref>
|align=center| 500 by 2014<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|date=January 2015|page=14|title=Sonex reports 500th completion}}</ref>
|align=left| Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
|align=left| the original aircraft design, incorporating a low-wing design, seats two, and has a fast build time.<ref name="Sonex">{{cite web|url = http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/sonex.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051125071904/http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/sonex.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = November 25, 2005|title = Sonex - the Original Reality Check|access-date = October 9, 2008|last = Sonex Aircraft|year = 2008}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Sonex Aircraft Sonex|Waiex]]'''
|align=left| [[Sonex Aircraft Sonex|Waiex]]
⚫
|align=center| 2003
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=left| Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
⚫
|align=center|
|align=left| almost identical to the Sonex, but features a Y-tail.<ref name="Waiex">{{cite web|url = http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/waiex.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060405030020/http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/waiex.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = April 5, 2006|title = Specifications - Tail Configuration: Y-tail|access-date = January 6, 2010|last = Sonex Aircraft|year = 2010}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Sonex Xenos|Xenos]]'''
|align=left| [[Sonex Xenos|Xenos]]
⚫
|align=center| 2003
|align=center| 2003<ref name="Xenos first">[http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/xenosdev/xenosarchive1.html Xenos Archive], Xenos</ref>
|align=center|
|align=center|
⚫
|align=left| Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt motor glider
|align=left| a motor-glider development of the Waiex with longer wings and the same engine selection as the other two Sonex models.<ref name="Xenos">{{cite web|url = http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/xenos.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060405025949/http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/xenos.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = April 5, 2006|title = Xenos|access-date = October 9, 2008|last = Sonex Aircraft|year = 2008}}</ref>
|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Sonex Aircraft Onex|Onex]]'''
|align=left| [[Sonex Aircraft Onex|Onex]]
|align=center| 2011
|align=center| 2011
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=left| Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
|align=left| a single seat aircraft with similar construction to a Sonex that will feature folding wings that allow the aircraft to be stored in a standard garage.<ref>[http://www.sonexaircraft.com/research/updates/onex/onex_update_061810.html Onex]</ref>
|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Sonex Electric Sport Aircraft|ESA]]'''
|align=left| [[Sonex Electric Sport Aircraft|ESA]]
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=left| Unbuilt single electric engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
|align=left| the Electric Sport Aircraft is a modified [[Sonex Aircraft Xenos|Xenos]].<ref>[http://www.sonexaircraft.com/research/e-flight.html E-Flight ESA]</ref>
|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Sonex Aircraft SubSonex|SubSonex JSX-1]]'''
|align=left| [[Sonex Aircraft SubSonex|SubSonex JSX-1]]
|align=center| 2011
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=left| Single jet engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
⚫
|align=center|
⚫
|align=left| Single seat, single engine jet protype
|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Sonex Aircraft SubSonex|SubSonex JSX-2]]'''
|align=left| [[Sonex Aircraft SubSonex|SubSonex JSX-2]]
|align=center| 2011
|align=center| 2014
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=left| Single seat, single engine jet
|align=left| Single jet engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
|-
|-
|align=left| '''[[Sonex Aircraft Teros|Teros]]'''
|align=left| [[Sonex Aircraft Teros|Teros]]
|align=center| 2015
|align=center| 2015
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=left| Single piston engine low-wing unmanned aerial vehicle
|align=left| UAV<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/2015/05/sonex-aircraft-navmar-applied-sciences-collaborate-uav-design/|access-date=June 26, 2015|title=Sonex Aircraft and Navmar Applied Sciences to Collaborate on UAV Design}}</ref>
|-
|align=left| [[Sonex Highwing|Sierra Hotel]]
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=left| Single piston engine high-wing homebuilt airplane<ref name="Cook16Feb23">{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/sonex-introduces-sierra-hotel-highwing/|title= Sonex Introduces "Sierra Hotel" Highwing|access-date= 17 February 2023|last= Cook|first= Marc |work= AVweb|date= 16 February 2023|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230217141118/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/sonex-introduces-sierra-hotel-highwing/|archive-date= 17 February 2023|url-status= live}}</ref>
|}
|}

[[File:SonexN232TM01.jpg|thumb|Sonex at the company display at [[Sun 'n Fun]], 2004]]
⚫
===Engines===
⚫
[[File:19-5409 Monnett Sonerai IILS (8543451673).jpg|thumb| [[Sonerai]] IILS]]
⚫
[[File:Sub Sonex JSX-1.jpg|thumb|[[Sonex Aircraft SubSonex|Sub Sonex JSX-1]]]]
⚫
[[File:Sonex-Onex.jpg|thumb|Sonex Onex]]
⚫
==Engines==
Company subsidiary AeroConversions manufactures the [[AeroConversions AeroVee Engine]], a custom aircraft implementation of the [[Volkswagen air-cooled engine]].
Company subsidiary AeroConversions manufactures the [[AeroConversions AeroVee Engine]], a custom aircraft implementation of the [[Volkswagen air-cooled engine]].


==Hornet's Nest==
==Hornet's Nest==
⚫
[[File:Sonex Aircraft Sonex (G-CIDX) at Cotswold Airport England 18Jun2016 arp.jpg|thumb|Sonex at [[Cotswold Airport]], [[Gloucestershire]], [[England]], 2016]]

The Hornet's Nest is the research and development arm of Sonex LLC.
The Hornet's Nest is the research and development arm of Sonex LLC.


Line 102: Line 120:
|access-date = July 24, 2007
|access-date = July 24, 2007
}}</ref> In December 2010, an all-electric Waiex was test flown from Wittman field in [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin]]. The aircraft was flown with a {{convert|54|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} brushless DC electric motor, managed by a newly designed controller. Power is from a collection of 14.5&nbsp;kW-hour lithium polymer batteries, giving the aircraft an endurance of one hour at low-speed cruise or 15 minutes of aerobatics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sonex electric-powered Waiex makes first flight|url=http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2010/101206sonex.html|access-date= December 6, 2010}}</ref><ref name="AvWeb">{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/sonex_waiex_electric_motor_aircraft_first_flight_203741-1.html|title = Sonex Flies Electric Airplane|access-date = December 6, 2010|last = Pew|first = Glenn|date=December 2010| work = AvWeb}}</ref> This was the beginning of the development of the [[Sonex Electric Sport Aircraft]].<ref name="Hornets_Nest_ESA">{{cite web|url = http://www.sonexaircraft.com/research/e-flight.html|title = Sonex Aircraft Hornet's Nest Research and Development|access-date = October 21, 2011}}</ref>
}}</ref> In December 2010, an all-electric Waiex was test flown from Wittman field in [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin]]. The aircraft was flown with a {{convert|54|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} brushless DC electric motor, managed by a newly designed controller. Power is from a collection of 14.5&nbsp;kW-hour lithium polymer batteries, giving the aircraft an endurance of one hour at low-speed cruise or 15 minutes of aerobatics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sonex electric-powered Waiex makes first flight|url=http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2010/101206sonex.html|access-date= December 6, 2010}}</ref><ref name="AvWeb">{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/sonex_waiex_electric_motor_aircraft_first_flight_203741-1.html|title = Sonex Flies Electric Airplane|access-date = December 6, 2010|last = Pew|first = Glenn|date=December 2010| work = AvWeb}}</ref> This was the beginning of the development of the [[Sonex Electric Sport Aircraft]].<ref name="Hornets_Nest_ESA">{{cite web|url = http://www.sonexaircraft.com/research/e-flight.html|title = Sonex Aircraft Hornet's Nest Research and Development|access-date = October 21, 2011}}</ref>
⚫
[[File:Sonex Aircraft Sonex (G-CIDX) at Cotswold Airport England 18Jun2016 arp.jpg|thumb|[[Sonex Aircraft Sonex]] at [[Cotswold Airport]], [[Gloucestershire]], [[England]], 2016]]


==References==
==References==
Line 120: Line 137:
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1998]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1998]]
[[Category:Oshkosh, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Oshkosh, Wisconsin]]


{{US-manufacturing-company-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:27, 29 July 2024

For the Mexican band, see Sonex (band).

Sonex Aircraft, LLC
Company typePrivate
IndustryAerospace
Founded1998
FounderJohn Monnett
HeadquartersOshkosh, Wisconsin, United States
Key people
  • Jeremy Monnett
    (Former CEO)
  • Mark Schaible
    (CEO)
Number of employees
9
SubsidiariesAeroConversions engines
Websitesonexaircraft.com

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is an American kit aircraft manufacturer located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, producing kits for four all-metal homebuilt monoplanes. The company was founded in 1998 by John Monnett, who has designed the Monnett Sonerai sport aircraft series, Monnett Monerai sailplane, Monnett Moni motorglider, and Monnett Monex racer.

History

[edit]
Sonerai IILS

The company opened a flight center and a 5,600 sq ft (520 m2) parts distribution warehouse in 2006.[1]

In 2013, the FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) approved fast-build "51% rule" versions of the Sonex, Waiex, and Onex.[2]

Jeremy Monnett, the son of founder John Monnett Jr. and CEO, was killed in an airplane crash in 2015.[3]

In June 2018, John Monnett announced his plan to retire and sell the company.[4] In January 2022, Sonex employee and general manager, Mark Schaible, purchased the assets of Sonex Aircraft LLC and Sonex Aerospace LLC, forming them into a new company, Sonex LLC. Schaible will be owner and president of the new company.[5]

In December 2019 the John Monnett-designed Sonerai was acquired by Sonex Aircraft.[6]

The company rolled out a prototype highwing aircraft in 2024.[7]

Products

[edit]

Aircraft

[edit]
Sub Sonex JSX-1
Sonex Onex
Model name First flight Number built Type
Sonerai 1971 Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
Sonex 2000 (customer built) 500 by 2014[8] Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
Waiex 2003 Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
Xenos 2003 Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt motor glider
Onex 2011 Single piston engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
ESA Unbuilt single electric engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
SubSonex JSX-1 2011 Single jet engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
SubSonex JSX-2 2014 Single jet engine low-wing homebuilt airplane
Teros 2015 Single piston engine low-wing unmanned aerial vehicle
Sierra Hotel Single piston engine high-wing homebuilt airplane[9]

Engines

[edit]

Company subsidiary AeroConversions manufactures the AeroConversions AeroVee Engine, a custom aircraft implementation of the Volkswagen air-cooled engine.

Hornet's Nest

[edit]
Sonex at Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire, England, 2016

The Hornet's Nest is the research and development arm of Sonex LLC.

E-flight

[edit]

At AirVenture 2007, Sonex Aircraft announced a project to work on innovative technologies in aviation. The E-flight projects includes using an electric motor, ethanol-based fuels, and other power plant alternatives.[10] In December 2010, an all-electric Waiex was test flown from Wittman field in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The aircraft was flown with a 54 kW (72 hp) brushless DC electric motor, managed by a newly designed controller. Power is from a collection of 14.5 kW-hour lithium polymer batteries, giving the aircraft an endurance of one hour at low-speed cruise or 15 minutes of aerobatics.[11][12] This was the beginning of the development of the Sonex Electric Sport Aircraft.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sonex Aircraft News Archive January-February, 2007". Sonex. January–February 2007. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "Sonex Offers Quick-Build Kits Featuring Prebuilt Major Assemblies". Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  3. ^ Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett Killed in Aircraft Accident AOPA, June 2015
  4. ^ O'Connor, Kate (June 6, 2018). "Sonex For Sale". AVweb. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  5. ^ Phelps, Mark (January 4, 2022). "Longtime Employee Acquires Sonex Assets; All Staff Retained". AVweb. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  6. ^ Cook, Marc (December 30, 2019). "Sonerai Kit Aircraft Comes Home". AVweb. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  7. ^ Fores, Kerry (July 21, 2024). "Sonex Rolls Out Highwing Protoype". Kitplanes. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "Sonex reports 500th completion". Sport Aviation: 14. January 2015.
  9. ^ Cook, Marc (February 16, 2023). "Sonex Introduces "Sierra Hotel" Highwing". AVweb. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  10. ^ "Another Secret Is Out". Retrieved July 24, 2007.
  11. ^ "Sonex electric-powered Waiex makes first flight". Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  12. ^ Pew, Glenn (December 2010). "Sonex Flies Electric Airplane". AvWeb. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  13. ^ "Sonex Aircraft Hornet's Nest Research and Development". Retrieved October 21, 2011.
[edit]
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