SonexBuilders.net

Greetings,

I'll be finishing a Onex after the new year, and insurance companies all want some sort of training before they will provide insurance. Most want a CFI checkout in a Sonex, but Avemco will also accept participation in the EAA flight advisor program.

It would be great to get some time with a CFI in a Sonex, but even if I can find one, I don't expect I'll fit. I'm 6'1" and 180 lbs, but the height is all torso and neck. I sat in one legacy Sonex, and I had to lean to the middle of the cockpit to clear the canopy. I had considered that I'd have make it a single place if I built one, but that was before the Onex. Of course I only have about 1/2" clearance even in the Onex. I'd love to try another two place if there is a CFI in reasonable driving distance of East TN.

The other option is the EAA flight advisor program, which I know nothing about. I've read about it on the EAA site, but that still didn't tell me much. I (think I) understand there's no flying, only briefing? Avemco even mentioned possibly being done remotely due to COVID. I've built and test flown 6 aircraft, so I'm not seeing much value in this, but if it's a painless way to check off the Avemco box, it might be my best option. Has anyone used the EAA flight advisor program?

Thanks,
Rusty

Take out seat cushion (OK - I know it changes the sight picture slightly) and wear in ear type headset with no over the headband. Makes quite a difference to sitting more upright. Look for a Legacy Sonex with the lowered seat pan option. Might help you through the training.

If the seat cushions are individual, I've got no problem with taking mine out. I did that for a checkout in an RV-6 long ago. Most of the pictures I saw on a quick search looked like the cushions were one piece though. Finding a CFI in the area, with a Sonex, then adding the need to have a removable seat and/or lowered seat pan really thins the options. If anyone knows of one relatively close to east TN, please let me know.

You are lucky you can get in a Sonex. I just got a quote for my Onex, after 25 years with the same company, and due to my age, they require me to be accompanied at all times by a qualified flight instructor. I refused to sit on any one's lap, so they rewrote it to require a biannual review every year. They didn't call it an annual review. Do you really think these people know anything about experimental airplanes?

The EAA site lists two EAA Flight Advisors that have Sonex experience, and are relatively close. One is listed as a CFI and aerobatic instructor named Darwin Jones in Hendersonville, NC. The other is not listed as a CFI, Jim "Nomad" Lowrance in Marietta, GA. I'm not sure how up to date the listing is, but I'll likely try to get in touch with one or both next week. I don't know if they actually have Sonex aircraft to fly, or if they just have Sonex experience. I don't suppose anyone knows either of them?

Thanks,
Rusty