Sun, Jun 22, 2025
Sonex Aircraft announced that its high-wing prototype aircraft has had its first engine start, which fired up with no issues and it also successfully completed its first taxi and brake tests.

Sonex said the aircraft has a short task list yet to complete before first flight, which it hopes to achieve before Oshkosh. The company is eagerly awaiting the aircraft registration to be returned by the FAA and final inspection. An intriguing idea, oft talked about in various circles, is now a reality as Lockwood Aviation has installed, tested and is preparing production of Rotax 916iS installation for Van’s RV-9... with other RVs doubtlessly waiting in the cue. The published numbers are incredibly impressive... and Phil Lockwood is not a guy to exaggerate... boasting a Cruise climb @ 120 KIAS of 800+ ft/min, (in eco mode) burning 8.5-8.8 gph. Reported speeds range from 190 knots @ 8.5 gph (at a 19K DA), to 150 knots @ 4.5 gph at the same density altitude. We’re not sure about its affordability, but it may have a future in sport aviation... VoltAero launched its HPU 210 aircraft powertrain, making the patented hybrid-electric propulsion available to propeller-driven aircraft in the
homebuilt, kit-built, and very light aircraft categories. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!

Airborne Affordable Flyers 06.12.25 is chock full of sport aviation info in this Special Episode, Thursday, June 12th, 2025... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Host Holland Lee. Holland is supported by ANN Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, as well as ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell. This episode covers:
- Sonex High-Wing Prototype Has First Engine Start
- ‘RV-916’ May Prove To Be Solid Alternative
- VoltAero Unveils HPU 210 Hybrid-Electric Powertrain
- Racers Gear Up for the 48th Annual Women’s Air Race Classic
- Sensenich Celebrates 100,000 Composite Prop Blades
- California Judge Shoots Down ‘Premature’ GAMI G100UL Motion
- Aero-TV: Quicksilver Ultralights are Still Flying High
Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again tomorrow, for the next edition of "Airborne Unlimited" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!
© 2022, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved.
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