Introducing the Sonex Builders and Pilots Foundation

The Sonex Builders and Pilots Foundation - A type club to promote safety and education in building and operating Sonex aircraft.


Greetings all fellow Sonex/Waiex/Xenos/Onex builders, owners, pilots and all those interested in experimental aircraft, sport aviation, and Sonex aircraft.

As you may be aware, the NTSB has been encouraging the experimental aircraft community to improve the safety record of amateur-built aircraft. Type Clubs have demonstrated to have been a significant factor in the overall improvement in first flight, flight testing, and continued operation of E/AB aircraft.

In concert with the above, there have been a core group of Sonex builders/owners who have expressed a desire over the past few months to grow the Sonex community across the nation. What started as one-on-one discussions about bringing more groups together, growing a community, promoting safety, education, and transition training, has now morphed into an informed coalition of individuals who are interested in building a national Sonex type club.

Other experimental and certified aircraft models have type clubs. It is our belief the time is right for a Sonex type club. One glance at the current conversation in the experimental aviation community shows an increased emphasis on many of the topics we have as goals.

We have named this organization the Sonex Builders and Pilots Foundation.

While we have received the blessing of Sonex Aircraft, LLC, this organization has no formal ties with Sonex Aircraft, LLC. All opinions and information contained within are the result of tech counselor and builder experiences.


Just to be clear, when we speak of Sonex, we are speaking about all Sonex types of aircraft and all those who currently or may in the future build, fly, own, or those who are just admire Sonex aircraft.

The current desire as it stands:

Form a recognized, legal organization that can help accomplish the goal of bringing all things in the Sonex community together and pursuing tax exempt (501(c)(3)) status.

What we want to do:

- Become a recognized member of the Type Club Coalition (TCC). There is no Sonex type club registered with the TCC at this time. Refer to http://www.eaa.org/govt/tcc.asp for specifics.

- Promote education of all things Sonex by amassing tips, links, and hints from other builders, sorted by plans page when possible

- Promote building and flying safety using existing resources of Sonex Aircraft LLC, EAA and other established and credible entities.

- Promote transition and type training by encouraging and facilitating builder/owners to obtain LODA

- Promote already established regional groups, organizations, and associations and their events

- Promote and host seminars, workshops, and related activities

- Connect those interested in building/flying a Sonex with local builders/owners

- Encourage and grow the Sonex community

- Encourage discussion and sharing by encouraging the use of SonexBuilders.net as an online forum. We have arranged for a separate topic area to be set up on this forum for discussion of and about this type club and our ideas.

What we don't want to do:

- Provide any sort of technical support. All technical support must come from the experts at Sonex Aircraft LLC.

- Take over, compete with, or in any way direct any established group, regional organization, or association such as the American Sonex Association (ASA), Florida Sonex Association, etc.

- Promote modifications other than those which are approved and tested by Sonex Aircraft, LLC


Many folks have asked why we don't use an existing resource or organization already in place, specifically the American Sonex Association. We have spoken with the ASA founder, John Davis, about this possibility. John has stated that the ASA has no intention of becoming a national organization, and is going to host and grow two regional fly-ins. We encourage all members of the Sonex community to support and attend these events.

When we discussed this idea initially, we looked at existing resources and web sites and found no single point of information or discussion. By partnering with SonexBuilders.net, we hope to make an online forum, technical resource, and single point of reference available for use by and growth of the Sonex community.

Also, our intentions are to develop an organization that can legally protect from liability its board members and those who volunteer. By forming a registered not for profit corporation, we can take advantage of tax deductible donations and can supplement the costs incurred by selling items in an online store on the club’s website.

We would greatly appreciate your support in helping us achieve this endeavor, and we definitely welcome comments, suggestions, or ideas!

Blue Skies,

Sonex Builders and Pilots Foundation

sonexfoundation.com


- Robbie Culver – Builder, Sonex 1517
- Michael Farley – Builder/Owner, Waiex 56, Flying
- Eric Seber – Builder, Waiex 153
- Carl Orton – Builder/Owner, Sonex 1170, Flying
- Chris Balthis – Builder, Sonex 1409 sonexbuilders.net Owner/Moderator

Sounds like a worthwhile endeavor. As a Sonex builder, I would like to be involved. Waiting to hear the details.

I can certainly perceive the benefits from a Sonex type club in view of the deficiencies of the existing Sonextalk Yahoo Group.

I would like to offer a suggestion. Do the right thing, and slightly expand your organization to allow in those people building, flying, or interested in the Moni.

There is a very clear lineage between the Moni and the Sonex. I know there were legal issues and some bad blood from the prehistoric past, but the Moni is the Sonex's daddy just like Darth Vader is Luke's daddy. Not even John or Pete would disagree, so long as there are no microphones in the room.

Since your Foundation is not in the business of selling Onex kits, and the more members you have at this stage the better off you are, I am seeing all positive and no negative on this idea.

Although there are not dozens and dozens of Moni's buzzing around, there are some. And a lot of half-built kits. Perhaps more than anything, and regardless of everything else, it would be doing the right thing for a really neat little airplane that was ahead of its time. Your discussions and mentoring could easily save someone's life by preventing them from flying one that has been glued but not riveted, after they found the project in Grandpa's barn after he died.