SonexBuilders.net

HI Guys,

I have just about worked myself out of the tail and find myself considering fuel, FWF, instruments, ...

I have a rather old Onex kit. The fuel tank fittings are molded into the tank.

Question: Should I go ahead and replace the fittings now? If so, all of them?

I am going for a budget panel for the time being. I am considering purchasing the Yaesu FTA750L. That will give me comm and a simple GPS for those occasional cross country trips. So, nav and comm for about $350. I intend to use an external antenna

Question: Is anyone else using a Yaesu FTA750L in the cockpit? Is the radio capable of xmit while charging? Do you receive side tone in the headset? Any comments regarding this radio appreciated.

I intend to use a GRT EIS. It's ugly, but it is affordable and it just works.
Question: Is there a pre-packaged system ready for a VW conversion.

I have already purchased a used ASI/Altimeter from Sonex LLC. The only flight instrument I need is a compass.
Question: Can anyone point me to a cheap little compass that will mount on the glare shield that you are happy with?

Right now I'm thinking I should have the entire plane, less wings, finished before I worry about building the wing stubs.
Question: Am I thinking right?

I'm sure I will come up with more questions, but that's enough for now :-)





Thanks,

Hi Wes,
I have no leaks with the molded fittings so far....but I have properly secured the fuel line and valve so no torque can be exercised on the molded fittings. You can easily install a remotely operated fuel valve, see pic.
As far as going cheap for now, this might be the wrong way to go as changing the instrument panel will be quite difficult afterwards if you leave the set-up as per plans.
I made the glareshield and instrument panel completely removeable and moved the panel backwards by 3" to create more room for wiring and instruments.
My radio and transponder from TRIG have a split set-up, the controller in the panel and the transmission units are installed on the floor in front of the main spar. They fit well into the Onex panel and are very good quality.
My set-up might not be the best but it works and is easy to work on and inspect.

I replaced my fittings in my Waiex, reasoning was it is much easier before final installation. I did not do all the fittings, just the ones in the bottom.

WesRagle wrote:HI Guys,

I am going for a budget panel for the time being. I am considering purchasing the Yaesu FTA750L. That will give me comm and a simple GPS for those occasional cross country trips. So, nav and comm for about $350. I intend to use an external antenna

Question: Is anyone else using a Yaesu FTA750L in the cockpit? Is the radio capable of xmit while charging? Do you receive side tone in the headset? Any comments regarding this radio appreciated.

I intend to use a GRT EIS. It's ugly, but it is affordable and it just works.
Question: Is there a pre-packaged system ready for a VW conversion.

I have already purchased a used ASI/Altimeter from Sonex LLC. The only flight instrument I need is a compass.
Question: Can anyone point me to a cheap little compass that will mount on the glare shield that you are happy with?

Thanks,

I went a similar route (cheap and functional panel). I don't have experience with the Yaesu radio but am running an Icom A6 handheld as my comm. It works just fine with an external antenna mounted on the belly. For the headset I ran it through a SPA-400 panel mount intercom I bought used for around $50. It's not as powerful as some of the dedicated panel mount radios but it works and was inexpensive.

Another option besides the Grand Rapids EIS is to find an older MGL stratomaster. They give you the standard 6 pack of instruments plus a decent engine monitor. I picked mine up from another sonex builder that was upgrading to an Enigma for $400 including the CHT and EGT probes. A post on here may find a few people who have one sitting around. Again, it isn't a new color EFIS with moving maps and data recording but is functional and inexpensive. You won't spend much time staring at the panel flying around VFR anyway.

For the compass, visit a local boating store. They have inexpensive compasses that are decent quality and are made to be tilted and turned at different angles.

Keith
#554

dirkverdonck wrote:Hi Wes,
As far as going cheap for now, this might be the wrong way to go as changing the instrument panel will be quite difficult afterwards if you leave the set-up as per plans.
I made the glareshield and instrument panel completely removeable and moved the panel backwards by 3" to create more room for wiring and instruments.

Hi Dirk,

I made my glareshield and panel removable as well. A lot of #6 nutplates and screws but I feel sure I will be glad I did it. Moving the panel 3" aft seems like a good idea as well. I intend to install a standard push/pull/friction lock throttle control. I did notice that the reach forward to the panel is a little far forward. I will probably have to lean in to adjust throttle. We'll see (haven't made the cushion yet).

As for the instruments, in keeping with the Onex primary mission (and my budget) as a fun, local, VFR flier, I don't need a complex panel. For now I just want airspeed and altitude front and center and an EIS keeping an eye on the VW. Since the panel and glareshield are removable, and the plane is trailerable, I can bring it home and make upgrades as time and budget allow.

I really like the fuel cut off. Clever to make the bend in the attached control handle to eliminate all unnecessary torque.

As odd as this may sound, I really don't think this plane will ever be finished. If I ever say "done", what will I do next? The tinker factor on these planes is through the roof :-)

Bryan Cotton wrote:I replaced my fittings in my Waiex, reasoning was it is much easier before final installation. I did not do all the fittings, just the ones in the bottom.

Hi Bryan,

Sounds reasonable. I did make the front end to be disassembled, but I had rather dissemble it for modifications, not repair :-)

kmacht wrote:For the compass, visit a local boating store. They have inexpensive compasses that are decent quality and are made to be tilted and turned at different angles.
Keith
#554

Hi Keith,

Will do.

Also, I got a real aircraft compass off of eBay for not much money.

hHi Wes,
About the throttle control, I used the Aeroconversions combined throttle and mixture control which I installed further backwards and lower on the left cockpit sidewall, see pic.
The idea was to be able to control power with my elbow rested in my lap. The original Sonex set-up is way too high to be comfortable.

HI Dirk,

Yea, I like my arm supported while adjusting throttle. In my case my arm will be supported by the throttle knob itself.

Wes

Hi Guys,

I have ordered the OOPS fittings. I seem to recall that there is a tool floating around that makes the smoothing of the inside of the holes of the tank easier.

Question: Is that tool still around? Is it available for loan?

Thanks,

Wes

Wes,
I think Gordon had it last.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4255&p=32582&hilit=Oops+fitting+tool#p32582

Last status I found was March 2018.