by Jester504 » Tue Apr 23, 2024 10:19 pm
I promise I didn't coordinate this post with karmarepair who just asked a very similar question!
Since last summer, I've been restoring a tailwheel Sonex-A with the Jabiru 3300 in Kentucky. It had been successfully flying for many years before the owner passed. It was pickled & stored in a hanger for the last 4 years. I changed a few things on it* and had it successfully Condition Inspected by an local A&P. Everything seems good-to-go - on paper.
But, I am a very low time PPL, and I don't think I'm the right person to do the first flight after the storage and alterations. And nobody around here, including the A&P, has any meaningful Sonex experience or knowledge. I would feel a whole lot better if the plane was given a once-over and flown by an experienced Sonex owner & pilot. Ideally, I could find someone who can be added to my insurance, come out for a day or even half a day, look at it, talk about it with me, and take it for a whirl to make sure everything responds and feels the way a Sonex is supposed to. And, if it's legal, I would properly pay them for their efforts.
If you're that person, DM me and let's make it fly! I can provide a ton of pictures, video, and information in DMs.
* what I changed:
Switched to factory tailwheel assembly from a damaged custom one
Replaced the (cracked) canopy
Replaced the brake cable and some wheel parts with factory new ones
Replaced the standard push/pull throttle knob with a Vernier control
Replaced all the spark plugs
Changed the oil and filter, inspected old filter, no issues
Borescoped the cylinders, no issues
Performed 3 separate engine runs and taxi tests with no problems found