Sonex Canopy

Use this area for aviation related general discussions, newsworthy items, and non model specific topics.

Sonex Canopy

Postby rfidler » Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:21 am

I recently inspected a Sonex under construction about 95% completed. Builder has done an excellent job. During my inspection, I became focused on the canopy design. The more I looked, the more I became skeptical about the frame design, rigidity, and fit and finish. When I finished my review, my conclusion was the whole canopy design of the Sonex is feable at best, especially the frame where the aft canopy section mates with the forward section. The Sonex frame, a bent piece of tubing, how crude.
Are any other builders out there that have improved the canopy design and are flying a Sonex with this improved design. My thoughts would be to build one piece hinged canopy design with a carbon fiber frame similar to European Glider designs. These canopy designs have the canopy supported in a carbon fiber frame around the complete profile and this canopy and frame sets into a frame attached to the aircraft. Yes, it would weigh a few more lbs than the current design, but would be far more durable.
What do the current builders and owners of Sonex aircraft feel about the Sonex Canopy design?
rfidler
 
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:37 am

Sonex Canopy

Postby Sonex1517 » Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:22 am

Hi

Since you didn't introduce yourself, and I see you are a new member, I am curious why you posted this....?

Are you a technical counselor? Did you design a better canopy?


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved
Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Aero Estates (T25)
First flight 10/10/2015
375+ hours
Jabiru 3300 Gen 4
Prince P Tip
Taildragger
N1517S
User avatar
Sonex1517
 
Posts: 1670
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:11 am
Location: T25 Aero Estates, Frankston, TX

Re: Sonex Canopy

Postby XenosN42 » Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:48 am

I have built two Sonex, a XENOS and OneX. I don't find the canopy design to be feable (sic) and have had no problems after 4 years and over 200 hours of flight.

However, if you do your research you'll find a few alternative canopy designs, mostly those that slide back instead of opening to the side.

-- Michael

XENOS; N42XE; 180 hours - FOR SALE
OneX; N169XE; 30 hours & counting
-- Michael
OneX N169XE
author of the 'Flight Data Viewer'
XenosN42
 
Posts: 421
Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2014 4:45 pm
Location: PA, USA

Re: Sonex Canopy

Postby Bryan Cotton » Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:35 am

Bob,
I don't think it is a terribly uncommon design. My Hummelbird is similar. Anything can be improved upon, of course at a cost of time and money. I have a bunch of time in the ASK-21. It has an awesome canopy. Not sure I need that for my Waiex though! When my old club broke one it was megabucks to replace. Personally I am happy with the stock design.
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
User avatar
Bryan Cotton
 
Posts: 5469
Joined: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:54 pm
Location: C77

Sonex Canopy

Postby Sonex1517 » Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:41 am

Because I sounded stupid on my last post, I want to re state my response. I should have had more coffee or just shut up.

Others have pointed out there are alternatives. The Sonex canopy keeps with the design and philosophy of the airplanes. Simple and light.

Could it be improved on? This is subjective, but it is experimental aviation and the builder or owner can certainly pursue other options. There are trade offs though, specifically weight and complexity. This is not an airplane meant to be heavy nor complex. It is easy to do both, but the outcome may reduce the performance.

If you intend on designing something different just be certain it is safe.

My apologies for my earlier gruff response.

An introduction does go a long way in helping us understand your experience, and what interests you....


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
First flight 10/10/2015
N1517S
Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Aero Estates (T25)
First flight 10/10/2015
375+ hours
Jabiru 3300 Gen 4
Prince P Tip
Taildragger
N1517S
User avatar
Sonex1517
 
Posts: 1670
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:11 am
Location: T25 Aero Estates, Frankston, TX

Re: Sonex Canopy

Postby rfidler » Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:26 pm

Sonex1517 wrote:Hi

Since you didn't introduce yourself, and I see you are a new member, I am curious why you posted this....?

Are you a technical counselor? Did you design a better canopy?


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved


I am a longtime pilot 40 years plus, over 3000 hours, owned 4 powered aircraft, 2 gliders. Over the last 15 years, almost all of my time is in gliders, competition and cross county without a motor. I still enjoy powered aircraft and currently looking at small experimental. I like the Sonex for a simple design, good performance, popular with EAA builders. My comments about the canopy are from looking at a Sonex. It looks feeble and also flimsy. I posted these comments because those are questions about what do other pilots think that own the aircraft. I am not a technical counselor. It is required to be a technical counselor to make a comment about what I think of the design? Get real dude.
rfidler
 
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:37 am

Sonex Canopy

Postby Sonex1517 » Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:39 pm

I deserved that.

Welcome to the forum.


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved
Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Aero Estates (T25)
First flight 10/10/2015
375+ hours
Jabiru 3300 Gen 4
Prince P Tip
Taildragger
N1517S
User avatar
Sonex1517
 
Posts: 1670
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:11 am
Location: T25 Aero Estates, Frankston, TX

Re: Sonex Canopy

Postby N111YX » Sat Nov 07, 2015 5:17 pm

The Sonex canopy is all it needs to be. It can withstand 200+ mile per hour speeds and all the rain and G's on can put on it. Fit and finish is in the hands of the builder. Does it appear flimsy? Perhaps when it's open. I only care when I'm flying.

I don't look at it as crude but rather as light as possible, easy enough for the average builder to construct, and cheap enough to replace. It's brilliantly engineered for the what the Sonex aircraft mission is supposed to be.

If we all had carbon fiber frames made, we'd probably all regret not going for the Lancair.
Kip

2010 Waiex 0082 (first flight May 2010)
Jabiru 3300 #1637 and #3035
Dynon D-180
Becker radios
Garmin GDL 82 ADS-B
1175 hours
48 states visited
Based near Atlanta

Also flying a...
2000 Kolb Firestar II, Rotax 503, 575 hours
N111YX
 
Posts: 711
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:43 am
Location: Atlanta, GA USA

Re: Sonex Canopy

Postby kmacht » Sat Nov 07, 2015 6:13 pm

I guess I will be the first to agree with the original post. I think the canopy frame is one of the weaker parts of the sonex airframe design. Yes, it does what it has to but in my opinion it is very flimsy, can't be opened up in a brisk wind without risking breaking the canopy, and is not in the least bit waterproof. I would love to see someone come out with a better design.

Keith
#554
kmacht
 
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:30 am

Re: Sonex Canopy

Postby N111YX » Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:04 pm

Alternative designs are available at the expense of weight and money. Contact the American Sonex Association for plans.
Kip

2010 Waiex 0082 (first flight May 2010)
Jabiru 3300 #1637 and #3035
Dynon D-180
Becker radios
Garmin GDL 82 ADS-B
1175 hours
48 states visited
Based near Atlanta

Also flying a...
2000 Kolb Firestar II, Rotax 503, 575 hours
N111YX
 
Posts: 711
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:43 am
Location: Atlanta, GA USA

Next

Return to General Discussion

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests