Evaluation By The FAA Assures A Quick Build Kit Can Be Certified As Amateur Built

Sonex Aircraft has been hosting the FAA's National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) as they audit the new Sonex and Waiex B-Model kits, and the new Xenos Motorglider Quick Build Kits.

NKET evaluation is used to establish a kit's compliance with Experimental Amateur Built aircraft "major portion" or "51 percent" rules. FAA NKET Amateur-Built Fabrication and Assembly Checklists for the new Sonex Aircraft kit offerings were completed last week, and once approved by the FAA, will be available for download from the FAA database.

Ultimately, amateur builders must make a statement that their aircraft was amateur built and complies with the amateur built rules when the aircraft is registered. However, when builders use these checklists, it simplifies the airworthiness inspection process for their completed aircraft.

From the standpoint of the kit manufacturer, NKET checklists are especially important for kit sales in many foreign markets where U.S. Experimental Amateur Built rules are often used as boilerplate definitions of their own regulations. Sonex has a strong international market.

The NKET is once again using Sonex Aircraft to train new team members during this audit. Sonex hosted the very first organization and training exercises for the NKET in 2009, and participated in the Aviation Rules Committee tasked with evaluating the experimental amateur built regulations, ultimately resulting in the NKET's formation.

In hosting this latest gathering of NKET trainees, Sonex says they are proud to continue their leadership role in the future of kit-built airplane industry.

Sonic says more information about the NKET process, along with links to their current kit checklists may be found on their Aircraft Certification Page. Once final checklists are posted by the FAA, Sonex said they will notify builders and post links to their website.

Sonex has also put out the word that, due to popular demand, B-Model Conversion Kits are now available! Builders with existing legacy Sonex or Waiex projects may convert their aircraft to a B-Model.

(Image evaluation team provided by Sonex)

FMI: www.sonexaircraft.com/