Photograph:
Sonex Waiex 19-7411 (c/n W0104) at Temora, NSW in April 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 90 kw (120 hp) Jabiru 3300 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 6.7 m (22 ft)
- Length: 5.51 m (18 ft 1 in)
- Height [tailwheel]: 1.3 m (51 in)
- Height[tricycle undercarriage]: 1.75 m (69 in)
- Wing area: 9.10 m² (98 sq ft)
- Cruising speed at sea level: 217 km/h (135 mph)
- Cruising speed at 2,438 m (8,000 ft): 274 km/h (170 mph)
- Take-off roll: 76 m (250 ft)
- Landing roll: 152 m (500 ft)
- Service ceiling: 7,010 m (23,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 366 m/min (1,200 ft/min)
- Range: 644 km (400 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 61 litres (13 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 281 kg (620 lb)
- Baggage: 18 kg (40 lb)
- Useful load: 240 kg (530 lb)
- Loaded weight: 522 kg (1,150 lb)
History:
The Waiex was a variant of the Sonex series of light all-metal aircraft and the main variation from the Sonex was a V-tail. It was designed and marketed for its looks and as a homage to other designs produced by John Monnett in the United States over many years, including the Moni and Monex Racer.
Specifications for the Waiex and Sonex were very similar. The aircraft could be fitted with the 60 kw (80 hp) AeroVEE 2180 or Jabiru 2200 four-cylinder engines; or the 90 kw (120 hp) Jabiru 3300 six-cylinder unit. The aircraft was capable of some aerobatics and was normally fitted with a tailwheel undercarriage but could be fitted with a tricycle undercarriage. It was available in kit form and this included many pre-fabricated parts.
A number of examples have been completed in this region, including ZK-WYX (c/n W083) to its owner at Whitianga, NZ in February 2013; 19-5339 (c/n W0036 – ex N536GS) registered on 19 February 2008 and 19-7411 (c/n W0104) registered on 24 February 2010, each under RAA Rules in Australia.