Sonerai I

[Chris Batcheller]

Anyone have and fly a Sonerai I? I am going next weekend to purchase a
project that is almost complete. What things should I check for when I am
looking at it? I am an A&P and I will check for all the usual stuff. I am
really looking for that "Passed Down" knowlege. What are your experiences
flying them?

This one is a mid-wing with a 1600 CC VW engine with the Monet conversion.

Thanks, Chris

[Ron Wanttaja]

On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 02:58:48 GMT, "Chris Batcheller"
> wrote:

>Anyone have and fly a Sonerai I? I am going next weekend to purchase a
>project that is almost complete. What things should I check for when I am
>looking at it? I am an A&P and I will check for all the usual stuff. I am
>really looking for that "Passed Down" knowlege. What are your experiences
>flying them?

May want to do some research into past wing problems. Both the Sonerai I
and II experienced some problems ten to twenty years ago. In '92, Bill
Welch, the aeronautical engineer who was the KITPLANES magazine columnist
on aircraft design, was hired by the Formula V Air Racing association to
analyze the structure of the Sonerai I after a fatal crash during a race.
Welch says he found significant weaknesses...the Air Race association said
he was too conservative, and fired him.

You can find some information in the April and July 1992 issues of
KITPLANES magazine. After twelve years or so, the fix (if any were
required) is probably pretty well established.

Ron Wanttaja

[Chris Batcheller]

Ron,

Thanks for the heads up. I have fould few problems when compared to other
homebuilts.

Thanks, Chris


"Ron Wanttaja" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 02:58:48 GMT, "Chris Batcheller"
> > wrote:
>
> >Anyone have and fly a Sonerai I? I am going next weekend to purchase a
> >project that is almost complete. What things should I check for when I am
> >looking at it? I am an A&P and I will check for all the usual stuff. I am
> >really looking for that "Passed Down" knowlege. What are your
experiences
> >flying them?
>
> May want to do some research into past wing problems. Both the Sonerai I
> and II experienced some problems ten to twenty years ago. In '92, Bill
> Welch, the aeronautical engineer who was the KITPLANES magazine columnist
> on aircraft design, was hired by the Formula V Air Racing association to
> analyze the structure of the Sonerai I after a fatal crash during a race.
> Welch says he found significant weaknesses...the Air Race association said
> he was too conservative, and fired him.
>
> You can find some information in the April and July 1992 issues of
> KITPLANES magazine. After twelve years or so, the fix (if any were
> required) is probably pretty well established.
>
> Ron Wanttaja

[Edward Schrom]

The "fix" was called the "B" version of the wing. Some stiffeners were added
but I don't know specifically where. Later an "S" version came out, which
has only left-handed ribs instead of left- and right-handed, but is
otherwise identical to the "B."

So if your Sonerai was made with either "B" or "S" wings, not to worry.

Ed


"Chris Batcheller" > wrote in message
link.net...
> Ron,
>
> Thanks for the heads up. I have fould few problems when compared to other
> homebuilts.
>
> Thanks, Chris
>
>
> "Ron Wanttaja" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 02:58:48 GMT, "Chris Batcheller"
> > > wrote:
> >
> > >Anyone have and fly a Sonerai I? I am going next weekend to purchase a
> > >project that is almost complete. What things should I check for when I
am
> > >looking at it? I am an A&P and I will check for all the usual stuff. I
am
> > >really looking for that "Passed Down" knowlege. What are your
> experiences
> > >flying them?
> >
> > May want to do some research into past wing problems. Both the Sonerai
I
> > and II experienced some problems ten to twenty years ago. In '92, Bill
> > Welch, the aeronautical engineer who was the KITPLANES magazine
columnist
> > on aircraft design, was hired by the Formula V Air Racing association to
> > analyze the structure of the Sonerai I after a fatal crash during a
race.
> > Welch says he found significant weaknesses...the Air Race association
said
> > he was too conservative, and fired him.
> >
> > You can find some information in the April and July 1992 issues of
> > KITPLANES magazine. After twelve years or so, the fix (if any were
> > required) is probably pretty well established.
> >
> > Ron Wanttaja
>
>