Fernando Courreges’ Sonex
My Sonex took to the air for the first time on July 23, 2014. I completed the project after almost four years of building and learning time. It has a Jabiru 3300 engine driving a Sensenich propeller. It has wonderful handling characterists and the performance I expected. The panel is fitted with a Stratomaster electronic flight instrument system and portables: Garmin aera 500, Flightcom intercom, and Icom radio. Thanks to all the people at Sonex, and many thanks to my wife and kids for their patience and support. I highly recommend a Sonex. The plans are great and easy to use. You are welcome to contact me with any questions.
General Villegas, Argentina
fernacou@yahoo.com.ar
Mark Banus’ Glasair SIIS FT
After 13 years of construction, Glasair II-S-FT, N600, launched from Chesapeake Regional Airport on her maiden voyage the morning of Wednesday, June 4, 2014, piloted by Major Justin Lewis of FLS Microjet fame. Dale Fowler in his Glasair, N264DD, was the chase plane providing external eyes on and confirming airspeed and altitude readings for Justin.
I am a low-time pilot and had not flown for the last five years during the final assembly of my Glasair. The transition plan worked out with EAA 339 flight advisor, John Andre, called for 5-10 hours additional flight time to include some Glasair time. I received 7.7 hours dual instruction in a C-182 and was fortunate to also get two hops in Dale Fowler’s Glasair II-FT. But I was still a bit uneasy about being N600’s test pilot.
Fortunately, my friend Justin volunteered to fly the first few flights. I jumped at the offer. Justin is a U.S. Navy-trained pilot, flew F-14s, E-6s, instructed in T-45s, and now flies A-10s for the Air National Guard. Previously he owned a Glasair, N68DJ, which he flew for 400+ hours. He is now an airshow pilot flying the FLS Microjet in airshows such as Sun ‘n Fun and Oshkosh.
This was the most complete and professional testing I have seen. Knowing N600 had proved to be a stable, predictable aircraft gave me confidence to launch my first flight June 14, 2014. I was able to concentrate on flying the new aircraft instead of worrying if and how it would fly. Priceless. I would highly recommend bringing in a “hired gun” like Major Lewis for your initial flights. You will be very glad you did (and so will your spouse).
Norfolk, Virginia
MBanus@hotmail.com
Byron Poppenhagen’s Corbin Baby Ace
This is my Corbin Baby Ace. It took about three years of fun to build it. I was inspired by the Baby Ace in the EAA museum, so I went home and built this one. It is powered by a Continental A-75 with a Sterba prop. Several pilots have flown it, and they all say it’s a very nice flying, docile bird.
Grafton, North Dakota
byronjp@gmail.com
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