Developing A Multi-Rotor Kit For Waiex-B Conversion

Aero-News April 1 Special Edition

Sonex Aircraft is jumping on the Urban Air Mobility eVTOL bandwagon with a kit that will allow Sonex Waiex builders and owners to convert their aircraft into an Uber Elevate-style aircraft.

The kit consists of a dozen electric motors and rotors that will bolt onto the wings, fuselage and empennage of the airplane. To save weight, Sonex recommends removal of the engine of the airplane, replacing it with a bank of batteries to run the electric motors.

Like most of the eVTOL concepts, the eVEX-B is still very much in the drawing-board stage in the company's Hornet's Nest R&D division. But Sonex Founder and president John Monnett says he believes the concept is sound. "The kit segment has always been a hotbed of innovation, and we wanted to be sure that eVTOL was available to pilots of more modest means," Monnett said. "Frankly, if there are going to be George Jetson-style Personal Air Vehicles that fold up into a briefcase, it's more likely to come out of the Hornets Nest than the Skunk Works. And since they can fly under the 'Experimental' imprimatur, we're far more likely to be flying before any of those other eVTOL concepts."

"Flying is supposed to be fun, but have a practical side. The eVEX-B will check both boxes," said Mark Schaible, Sonex General Manager. "Basing the aircraft on the Waiex-B airframe means flying the eVEX-B will be like getting into a great big drone and heading off to the office, the beach, the grocery store ... the possibilities are endless. This will truly be the aircraft everyone will want in their garage. And if they don't have a garage, they'll build one just for this," he said.

FMI: www.sonexaircraft.com