The Sonerai design is over 25 years old. It is a well proven airframe design combining 4130 chrome-moly tubing and aircraft aluminum. Hundreds of Sonerai aircraft have been built world wide. It is a very popular aircraft. The Sonerai II Series aircraft will carry two persons, minimum baggage and 10 to 16 gallons of fuel. It goes cross country and cruises at 140 m.p.h. It will do mild aerobatics solo. It will take off, climb, cruise, land and stop at the numbers published herein.
The Sonerai's are not considered to be "New Wave" technology. They are not composites, paper/glass, or foam. They are not ultra-light aircraft. A pilots license is required to fly any model Sonerai. The Sonerai's are not a Semi-Truck. Weight is critical to the published performance specifications of any Sonerai. Sonerai's will not cruise at 200 m.p.h. They will not climb at 2000 fpm. They are not STOL aircraft.
REMEMBER! The Maximum horsepower allowed on a Sonerai is 70 to 75 HP. You won't do serious aerobatics on a 70 HP non-inverted VW Aero conversion!
In summary, the Sonerai is a very well mannered, controllable aircraft. It has gentle stall characteristics, modest takeoff, climb, cruise and landing speeds. It will provide transportation for two individuals, some baggage and enough fuel for 250 to 350 miles of cross country flight.
The Sonerai will require you to learn basic welding, metal working, riveting, and fabric covering/finishing skills. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most difficult, the Sonerai's are about a 4 or 5 - average. Welding and riveting are easily learned and accomplished with practice.
The Experimental Aircraft Association publishes several good manuals on metal working, welding and fabric covering. In addition, they sell excellent instructional videos on the same subjects.
The EAA can be reached at 1-920-426-4800 for further information.
To order video call EAA at 1-800-843-3612. Or visit their web site:
eaa.org.
Once you make the decision to start building, we suggest that you plan and keep an enforced work schedule. By setting a specific amount of time to work and specific goals for each work period, you will complete your Sonerai. The average Sonerai takes 800 to 1000 hours of labor to complete. If you can contribute 1 hour a day and 2 hours each on Saturday and Sunday, your Sonerai will be complete in 1-1/2 to 2 years.
The largest stumbling block to building time and performance is modification of the aircraft. We ask that you do not modify the aircraft. Do not get carried away with instruments, radios, lights and other accessories. It takes grams to make pounds and pounds will adversely effect the performance and pleasure of Sonerai Flight.
Make it light and make it right!
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P.O. Box 545,
Boys Town, NE 68010
Tel 402-493-6507, Orders 800-922-6507
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