Sonex High Wing
By Robbie Culver
Sonex Aircraft successfully flew its new high-wing aircraft just before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 and is taking orders for kits. Prices are $39,000 for the complete airframe kit and $55,000 for the quick-build kit, with a tri-gear option for $1,250. Subkits are also available.
Sonex is starting construction on the tricycle-gear version in late August or September, and it will have direct nosewheel steering.
Company owner Mark Schaible said, “We didn’t set out to build a bushplane. It’s meant to be aerobatic and fast, just like a Sonex. People compared it to a Wittman Tailwind, which I think is a compliment.
“A big part of it for us is the accessibility,” he said. “It’s low to the ground like a Sonex. It’s like getting in and out of your car. Especially if you have the stick in the middle of the fuselage. And of course, with the removable sticks you can get in the airplane and then put the stick in.”
That’s good news for people with any kind of mobility issues. “I had a guy here [at AirVenture] in a wheelchair, and he wants a taildragger you can do aerobatics in,” Mark said, “so I’ve already started emailing him about what hand controls would he want and how would it work best for him. Obviously, this is not a quick thing to figure out.”
After three test flights, some of the performance data has been posted on the company’s website. Stall speeds are 53.9 mph with no flaps and 46.26 mph at 30 degrees of flaps. Climb rate solo with aerobatic tips — the short wingspan configuration — has been 1,475 fpm at 95 mph and 2745 rpm. According to Sonex, the Sensenich propeller currently installed on the aircraft “could use a couple more inches of pitch.” The wide-open throttle (WOT) static rpm range with the aircraft tied down is 2700-2750, and the current data shows 2790 rpm. Sonex is working with Sensenich and ULPower Aero Engines to get this dialed in, and it expects level flight speeds to increase with a repitched propeller.
It cruises at 150 mph indicated airspeed (IAS) at 2,500 feet and 2800 rpm and has a top speed of 160 mph IAS at 2,700 feet and 3000 rpm.
The earliest quick-build kits will ship in spring or early summer of 2026, and later serial numbers will likely ship in 2027.
See SonexAircraft.com for additional information.
