Cockpit Configuration Safety Alert

[SonexFactoryTech]

Sonex Builders,

We have seen a number of builder's aircraft with cockpit control configurations we consider dangerous and we want to bring this to everyone's attention.

The cockpit must be configure so one hand can remain on the stick at all times, freeing the other to operate the throttle, mixture, flaps, and brakes. In the "standard" configuration this will put the throttle, mixture, flap handle, and brake handle on the left side of the cockpit, to be operated by your left hand. In the "ST" configuration the throttle, mixture, flap handle, and brake handle must all be in the center, to be operated by your right hand.

When these controls are mixed and matched, for instance the brake and flap handles are on the left while the throttle and the mixture are in the center, you create the dangerous situation in which you must switch hands on the stick to operate the critical controls during the critical phases of flight (take-off and landing).

Consider this scenario:
You are on short final and the engine is at idle, flaps are deployed, trim is set for landing, and an aircraft pulls onto the runway in front of you. You must react immediately by applying full throttle, leveling out, raising the flaps as airspeed comes up, and control the aircraft's increasing pitch forces against a growing out-of-trim condition. In this scenario you need one hand to remain on the stick at all times while the other handles the duties of throttle, flaps, and trim adjustments. In such a critical phase of flight it will be dangerous and time consuming to switch hands on the stick if your primary controls have been scattered around the cockpit.

For your safety, make sure your cockpit is configured correctly and if you are shopping for a completed aircraft note the cockpit configuration.

Sonex Aircraft Tech Support