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AirVenture
99
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Here
is the Sonex Booth. They had a good spot right next to the flight line.
I can't believe the Monnetts and Pete were able to man the booth all week
long. Friday was incredibly HOT. Bettina and I left the airport at noon
to have lunch in air conditioning but these guys (and gal) were still there
answering questions and watching people climb in and out of the planes.
8/3/99 |
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Here
are Bettina (my better half) and I sitting and smiling in the VW powered
Sonex tri-gear. The fit is perfect for us. This plane had the dual
controls. This plane was not flying during AirVenture but the 120HP Sonex
tail-dragger did get to join the Parade of Flight. 8/3/99 |
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Here,
Jeremy and I are checking out the cockpit. It was a little tighter fit
for the two of us but no worse that a C150. Besides, Bettina is easier
on the eyes ;-) 8/3/99 |
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Here
I am with the canopy down. Wow, does it ever get hot in there with the
canopy closed. You can see that they have added a vent in the lower aft
part of the windscreen to increase ventilation. On hot days I am sure I
will want to taxi with the canopy open. 8/3/99 |
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Here
I am in the right seat. It took me several days to wipe that smile off
my face. Unfortunately, Jeremy had not left the keys in the plane; otherwise
they would never have been able to catch me. 8/3/99 |
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Here we are checking
out the canopy fit. This plane had the standard seat but had the taller
canopy. You can see that I had a good inch clearance between my head and
the canopy. I am 5' 11". Sonex has come up with a revised seat, which they
think will accommodate taller people. 8/3/99 |
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The tinted canopy
is a must. I could not imagine how hot it would get with a clear canopy.
8/3/99 |
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Here is a new modification.
The filet at the wing root is to provide a positive up stop for the flaps.
Jeremy says it also helps to quiet the rumbles from the flat aluminum sheet
sides. 8/3/99 |
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Here is a pilots
eye view out the front of the tri-gear. Plenty of visibility over the nose.
Also notice that there is no optical distortion which you often get with
a blown canopy. 8/3/99 |
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Here is the pilots
eye view from the tail-dragger. You can see the horizon is slightly obscured
by the nose but is still much better than some tail-draggers I have been
in. Notice how the angle of the glare screen allows a good view to the
side. 8/3/99 |
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Here is a view of
the upholstery. Jeremy says it will be available in any color as long as
it is gray. 8/3/99 |
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Here are the center
stick controls. With two people in the cockpit I find this arrangement
uncomfortable. You have to fly with your knees held together and your stick
arm crowds your passenger. This configuration does allow you to fly sitting
in the center when flying solo (using the outside rudder pedals). You then
have lots of arm and headroom. 8/3/99 |
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Here are the new
dual controls. I like them better. More knee room to spread out and you
don't bump your passenger with the stick or your arm. However, as you can
see from the picture, it might be a challenge to wrestle the controls away
from your copilot. I tried sitting in the center with the sticks on the
sides but it was awkward to reach the outside pedals. 8/3/99 |
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Here is a side view
of the dual stick. At full forward stick there is about 2 1/2" between
the stick and the bottom of the panel. You can see that the flap, trim
and brake handles are on the left side. I though I would want those in
the center but I tried them from the right seat and they were easy to reach.
The trim I would still want in the center. 8/3/99 |
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Here you can see
that Bettina could barely touch the rudder pedals while I had no problem.
A cushion behind Bettina should help. On this plane the throttle
was on the left side. I would place the throttle in the center. I think
I will create a small sub panel that will fit under the main panel and
be slightly farther forward. The current throttle put my arm in an uncomfortable
position at idle. In this picture you can see the EIS
and the Microair
760 transceiver Both are available from Sonex a good prices.
8/3/99 |
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Sorry, I forgot
to shave my legs that day =:-o. My knees are about even with the front
of the panel. If I were to put in a eyeball type vent, I think I would
put one on each side of my recessed sub panel about even with the forward
edge of the lower panel cross member. That way it would be out of the way
of my knees and less likely to scrap my shins as I enter and exit.
8/3/99 |
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Here is a view of
the rotationally molded gas tank. At the top you can see the back of the
Microair radio. That is right about where I would put my sub panel.
8/3/99 |
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