Sonex Announces The First Flight Of Their Waiex B-Model Took Place At Oshkosh

Earlier this year Sonex announced their latest aircraft development project; the Sonex and Waiex B-Models. Then at Sun ‘n Fun, they picked up the excitement by letting people know what these new aircraft looked like. They said the B-Models provide more of what their customers have been looking for, and now their first Waiex B-model has taken flight.

Sonex said T-Flight Chief Flight Instructor, Joe Norris, had the honor of conducting the first flight last Friday in the AeroVee Turbo powered Waiex-B. Joe reported, "Temperatures were in the green and it flies like a Sonex!" It’s always good to have engine temperatures under control on a first flight, and letting us know “it flies like a Sonex” means it looks like they have a great new plane in their kit-built lineup.

Sonic says their new be models are enlarged by straightening of the forward fuselage sides, and feature were revised to improved creature comforts. Some of the features they list are:

• More width and comfort at the shoulders, hips, knees and feet.
• Seat back is moved aft, and new seating geometry accommodates taller individuals.
• Staggered seating is available via upholstery seat back cushions.
• Center “Y-Stick” offers dual controls with easier cockpit entry and roomier seating.
• Electric Flaps reduce cockpit clutter and Dual Throttles are standard.

They also say the enlarged B-Model instrument panel offers plenty of space for today’s popular dual-screen avionics installations (including the MGL iEFIS Explorer 8.5” displays)…with room to spare.

More engine choices are now available, and a new universal cowl is designed to fit many popular engine options. Sonic says builders can experience the same great firewall-forward support for AeroVee/AeroVee Turbo and Jabiru/CAMit 3300 engines, and in addition, B-Model engine mounts will be available for UL Power 350i, 350is, and Rotax 912-series engines.

You’ll find lots of information about other new features of the B-Models on their website.

(Image provided by Sonex)

FMI: www.sonexaircraft.com/