Vorticity

Mine has wings done, tail, control surfaces and fuselage box section near done. I also have all the avionics and electrics in a box. Give me a PM if your interested as I am in the process of relocating and a half built project is proving a real pain :(

Something to note is the twists in the wires. I know that mine was tuned by Wayne fisher in this way. At one stage I had to remove the tail so was carefully to note how many twists so as to return it to original.

No need to import, they are made on the gold coast. http://www.turtlepac.com/

I tried this method, it was ok but showed up fingerprints and dust. http://eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=25190150001 I think there maybe a clear coat from Stewart systems that could be used over the polished surface. To sum up; I'm painting my sonex.

Backwoods carry a large range of scotchbrite pads etc. I'd call ahead though as they run out of certain types.

When I think of organisations that I am (or have been a member of) one thing I have always liked is a good magazine. I would Almost go as far as to say it adds a bit of credibility compared with here one minute gone the next clubs/associations who can only be found online. The New Zealand Alpine Club goes as far as publishing a yearly journal of reports and stories. Maybe RAA isn't that kind of organisation anymore as opposed to the club based scene early on? I'm old, compared to tomo, just cracked 30! The EAA magazine is amazing and the best value you could ever find!

I saw one take of at caboolture this afternoon, the guy looked like he was having a lot of fun!

http://www.sonexaircraft.com/research/e-flight/ the numbers don't seem very practical at this stage but you have to start somewhere.

Does that mean you could use the non 3G iPad for ozrunwys if you had the Bluetooth gps reciever?

I owned a fisher mk1 sport for a while. They are an amazing machine with many small improvements from the austflight. Mine had a 503 and performed very well one up and ok two up. I am told that with the 582 the are a rocket! I have flown the 503 and 582 austflight, great fun but the fisher is even better.

EAA membership is a bargain and the magazine is fantastic.

I know that I have had occasions where it cost me more to get a box moved from the ship to where I could pick it up than it had accross the pacific ocean! It is amazing how it all adds up.

I am building a sonex. The sonex and RV are very different aircraft suited to different roles and budgets. The sonex is much smaller than the RV with far less endurance/range. The sonex will be much cheaper to build. Performance depends on your choice of engine. You can choose from the VW (110kt cruise from talking with owners) up to the 3300 with owners claiming between 120-130kts IAS in cruise. The big thing to consider is that the sonex only has around 65L of fuel, so if you are burning 20-25L/hr with the 3300 it wont keep you up as long as the RV. If you want to fly long distance with a passenger and baggage than I might reconsider the sonex. My ideal flight is around 2 hrs, no baggage, occasional passenger and performance like a little fighter.

The floating jab J400 belongs to the Lockyer valley flying club secretary. It would seem that a total of four club members lost aircraft in the hanger at grantham. The owner of the field made a dramatic escape and is ok. Insurance may cover some but when you have put 5 yes into a scratch built plane it must be heartbreaking:( There are two other field just west of grantham so the tally of lost aircraft could be a lot higher. Let's hope the owners are high and dry to build again.

Have a look into a company called Stewart Systems. They have a range of non toxic surface peotection. The best bit is that because their system is non toxic you can have it sent to you while avoiding dangerous shipping charges.

Maybe rivet spacing tools, scotchbrite wheels (6 inch and small ones with mandrel) various chucking reams, 6 and 12 inch numbered drills, close edge rivet tool, deburing tools, simple dimple dies in 30 and 40, flange pliers. All this is pretty common but much of it is difficult to find in oz.

I can vouch for QED. Prior to Christmas I had an issue trying to intall a pitot static assembly to the underwing of my sonex. After a few emails regarding what could be solutions I had an email that said 'I've posted something for you to try, pay me if they work, send them back if they dont'. I came back from Christmas to find four screws perfect for the task, matching nutplates and some flush rivets. The installation was done in an hour, very neatly and I could finally finish up my wings. Anyone who builds will know how awfull many aviation suppliers are. It is so refreshing to get some real service. Oh and the order cost $4 + 60c postage! I have had so much trouble with US and some Australian suppliers :( Regarding sonex rivets, they sell a complete kit and are well priced. Maybe chuck in some extra CCP42 as others have run out. I would seriously consider the flush rivet kit if I was to build another sonex/onex. If you are scratch building you have hundreds of hours of labour before you need rivets/hardware. You may also need to order a canopy or engine mount from sonex (main spar extrusions?) so you could whack the heavy box of rivets with that.

Don't rush out and buy rivets or nuts. You have a good couple of hundred hours of making bits from your flat sheet and plate. The angle components alone will take you a while. If you can get a supply of 6061 locally than you can keep your investment down and buy as you build. You will no doubt have to order some large bits from sonex. They are happy to put all the hardware in with that box if you get it shipped from wicks to them. They are a good source of rivets. I'd go flush rivets if I was building again. I have them on the leading edge and they are really nice. Don't read the entire plans as you will end up light headed and vomit! Just work through page by page.

I'm surprised the zenith 701 isn't mentioned, seems to fit your criteria. Good plans, builders manual, can buy DVDs covering all aspects of construction and there is a local distributor.

The quote I got from jabiru this week for a 3300: zero time engine solid lifter or hyd lifter - $15,500 new engine - $18,950.

The aerovee..... Mmmm..... I know of three builders who have fitted aerovees to their sonex in Australia: 1. Never really produced enough power on warm days, sold the plane. 2. Could not get timing issues sorted, sold the plane. 3. Had an engine failure behind me on final. The aeroconversions guys may have a great run with them in Wisconsin but I have not heard good experience in warm climates. If you look on the sonex sites there are a heap of people upgrading to the 3300. There are some guys putting 912s in but monnett has a thing against rotax.

I have the tail, control surfaces, left wing and I'm into the right wing.

Sonex say it will be available for aerovee and 3300 but not the 2200. Given the performance of the 2 seater, can you imagine the performance with 120hp up front?! With folding wings it could be a nice second aircraft for aeros (VH experimental) I reckon 5 years till it would be a good option, hopefully I'll be finished my sonex and have some good hours on it by then

I have been recommended Protec paint, I believe made in Adelaide. I have used their single pack epoxy on my main spar and it came up great. Not environmentally friendly, though I used a HVLP system which helps control overspray.

There is no comparison, I miss my fisher mk1 sport so much