| Sonerai | |
|---|---|
| Sonerai 2 | |
| Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Monett Aircraft |
| Designer | John Monnett |
| First flight | 1971 |
| Introduction | 1971 |
The Sonerai is a small, VW powered homebuilt aircraft designed by John Monnett. The Sonerai began to compete as a single seat mid-wing Formula-V racer class formed in 1972. The Sonerai soon evolved into a two-seat model called the Sonerai II. Later versions included a low wing Sonerai IIL, a tricycle gear Sonerai IILT and finally the stretched Sonerai IILS and IILST.
John Monnett came up with the name Sonerai from a combination of the words Sonic and Cosmic-Ray [1] Many Sonerais have been built and it remains a very popular design for people seeking a low cost experimental aircraft with good speed and maneuverability. The airframe cost to build in 1974 was estimated at $2,500. The 2010 airframe cost is approximately $6,000 (US) and the total cost is approximately $15,000 (US) with the addition of hardware, instrumentation, engine and other required items. The time to build is between 800 and 1000 hours.[2]
Contents |
The Sonerai I was designed to use the 1,600cc VW engine and the Sonerai II was designed to use the 1700cc VW engine. The wings were designed to fold alongside the fuselage for towing without a trailer and compact storage. The Sonerai II was designed to be soloed from the rear seat. The aircraft is built around a fabric covered steel tube fuselage with all aluminum wings and a fiberglass nose cowl. The plans cost $50 and $57 in 1974.[3]
Great Plains Aircraft Supply Company currently holds the rights to the Sonerai series of aircraft. The aircraft is not available as a kit, and can be assembled using plans only.
The protoype Sonerai 1 was displayed at the Experimental Aircraft Association Airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin where Monnett eventually relocated. The aircraft was painted a bright green that became the color of all the future prototypes and company marketing. The shade was from a 1971 Dodge Charger John Monnett saw painted Sassy Grass Green.[4]
Brian Dempsey built a Sonerai I that holds a world record. The C-1a/0 (Landplanes: take off weight less than 300 kg) Speed over a straight 15/25 km course of 292.15 km/h on February 19, 1989.[5]
Robin Austin of Australia built a Sonerai IIL with a 100hp Rotax engine. The aircraft has set the following FAI records for C-1a/0 (Landplanes: take off weight less than 300 kg).[6]
General characteristics
Performance
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