The Sonerai is a small, VW-powered homebuilt aircraft,[1] designed by John Monnett.[2] The Sonerai began to compete as a single-seat, mid-wing, tailwheel[3]Formula-V racer class formed in 1972. The Sonerai soon evolved into a two-seat model called the Sonerai II.[3][4]
Later versions included a low-wing Sonerai IIL,[3] a tricycle-gear Sonerai IILT[3] and finally the stretched Sonerai IILS and IILTS.[3][5]
John Monnett came up with the name Sonerai from a combination of the words Sonic and Cosmic-Ray[6] 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.[7]
The Sonerai I design and construction started in 1970 with the goal of a flying aircraft to be demonstrated at the 1971 EAA airshow. The aircraft was to meet the new Formula V rules and those of the Professional Race Pilots Association (PRPA) for aircraft powered by 1600cc Volkswagen engines (it will accept VW engines from 1600 to 2800cc displacement).[1]
Inspired by the Spitfire, an elliptical tail profile was incorporated. Elliptical wingtips and a low-wing configuration were dropped, but a low-wing Sonerai II variant was released later.[8] The Sonerai I was designed to use a direct drive 1,600cc VW engine[1] 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.[1] The Sonerai II was designed to be soloed from the rear seat. The aircraft is built around a fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage and tail,[1] with all-aluminum wings[1] and a fiberglass cowl. The plans cost $50 and $57 in 1974.[9]
Great Plains Aircraft Supply Company held the rights to the Sonerai series of aircraft until 2015. Sonerai Works LLC, of Franksville, Wisconsin, purchased the rights to Sonerai plans and parts from Great Plains in 2015. Sonerai Works LLC was formed by Fred Keip. a Sonerai IIL builder, owner, and pilot, who was Sonerai Newsletter editor and publisher 1996 –2010, and had been a technical support provider for Sonerai builders over 28 years (an EAA Technical Counselor since 1987).[3][10]
The aircraft is not available as a kit, and is built using plans, although some parts are available.[12]
Operational history
The prototype 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.[13]
World records
Dempsey Sonerai I
Brian Dempsey built a Sonerai I that set a world record. The C-1a/0 (Landplanes: takeoff weight less than 300 kg) Speed over a straight 15/25 km course of 292.15 km/h (181.53 mph / 157.74 kn) on February 19, 1989.[14] Dempsey's record stood for 20 years.
Robin Austin of Australia built a Sonerai IIL with a 100 hp Rotax engine. The aircraft has set the following FAI records for C-1a/0 (Landplanes: takeoff weight less than 300 kg).[15]
May 17, 2008: Speed over a recognized course 404.3 km/h (251.2 mph / 218.3 kn) St. George, QLD (Australia) - Brisbane, QLD (Australia)[16]
^Plane and Pilot's Homebuilt Aircraft Annual. Winter 1975. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
^ abcdefghijk"SoneraiWorks LLC is Now the Supplier of Plans and Model-Specific Parts for the Sonerai Series of Sport Aircraft," press release, as reprinted December 10, 2014, Kitplanes, retrieved November 11, 2020
^Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 110. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
^ abc"The Sonerai II Stretch," GreatPlainsAS.com / Sonerai Works, retrieved November 11, 2020
^Bob Barton (May 1991). "Bob Barton's Sonerai IIL". Sport Aviation.
^"Sport Aircraft History". Great Plains Aircraft. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
^"Race to Oshkosh". Sport Aviation: 6. March 1972.
^"Flying Twins your choice of one or two". Popular Mechanics: 108. August 1974.
^Sport Aviation: 15. February 2015. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
^Cook, Marc (December 30, 2019). . AVweb. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
^Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 104. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
^Jim Cunningham. John Monnett from Sonerai to Sonex.
^Robin Austin (October 2010). "Four World Records". Sport Aviation.
^"FAI Record ID #15060 - Speed over a recognized course, C-1a (Landplanes: take off weight 300 to 500 kg)" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Record date May 17, 2008. Accessed: October 4, 2015.
^"FAI Record ID #15065 - Aeroplane Efficiency, C-1a (Landplanes: take off weight 300 to 500 kg) " Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Record date June 5, 2008. Accessed: October 4, 2015.
^"FAI Record ID #15066 - Aeroplane Efficiency, C-1b (Landplanes: take off weight 500 to 1000 kg) " Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Record date June 8, 2008. Accessed: October 4. 2015.
^"FAI Record ID #15100 - Speed over a recognized course, C-1a (Landplanes: take off weight 300 to 500 kg)" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Record date July 28, 2008. Accessed: October 4, 2015.
^ abcdefgPurdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 171. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN0-9636409-4-1
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Official website
March 03, 2023
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The Sonerai is a small VW powered homebuilt aircraft 1 designed by John Monnett 2 The Sonerai began to compete as a single seat mid wing tailwheel 3 Formula V racer class formed in 1972 The Sonerai soon evolved into a two seat model called the Sonerai II 3 4 SoneraiSonerai IIRole Homebuilt aircraftManufacturer Monett AircraftDesigner John MonnettFirst flight July 20 1971Introduction 1971Later versions included a low wing Sonerai IIL 3 a tricycle gear Sonerai IILT 3 and finally the stretched Sonerai IILS and IILTS 3 5 John Monnett came up with the name Sonerai from a combination of the words Sonic and Cosmic Ray 6 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 7 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 2 1 World records 3 Variants 4 Specifications Sonerai II 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksDesign and development EditThe Sonerai I design and construction started in 1970 with the goal of a flying aircraft to be demonstrated at the 1971 EAA airshow The aircraft was to meet the new Formula V rules and those of the Professional Race Pilots Association PRPA for aircraft powered by 1600cc Volkswagen engines it will accept VW engines from 1600 to 2800cc displacement 1 Inspired by the Spitfire an elliptical tail profile was incorporated Elliptical wingtips and a low wing configuration were dropped but a low wing Sonerai II variant was released later 8 The Sonerai I was designed to use a direct drive 1 600cc VW engine 1 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 1 The Sonerai II was designed to be soloed from the rear seat The aircraft is built around a fabric covered steel tube fuselage and tail 1 with all aluminum wings 1 and a fiberglass cowl The plans cost 50 and 57 in 1974 9 Great Plains Aircraft Supply Company held the rights to the Sonerai series of aircraft until 2015 Sonerai Works LLC of Franksville Wisconsin purchased the rights to Sonerai plans and parts from Great Plains in 2015 Sonerai Works LLC was formed by Fred Keip a Sonerai IIL builder owner and pilot who was Sonerai Newsletter editor and publisher 1996 2010 and had been a technical support provider for Sonerai builders over 28 years an EAA Technical Counselor since 1987 3 10 In December 2019 the design was acquired by Sonex Aircraft 11 The aircraft is not available as a kit and is built using plans although some parts are available 12 Operational history EditThe prototype 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 13 World records Edit Dempsey Sonerai I Brian Dempsey built a Sonerai I that set a world record The C 1a 0 Landplanes takeoff weight less than 300 kg Speed over a straight 15 25 km course of 292 15 km h 181 53 mph 157 74 kn on February 19 1989 14 Dempsey s record stood for 20 years Robin Austin of Australia built a Sonerai IIL with a 100 hp Rotax engine The aircraft has set the following FAI records for C 1a 0 Landplanes takeoff weight less than 300 kg 15 May 17 2008 Speed over a recognized course 404 3 km h 251 2 mph 218 3 kn St George QLD Australia Brisbane QLD Australia 16 June 5 2008 Aeroplane Efficiency 29 79 km kg Jacobs Well QLD Australia 17 June 8 2008 Aeroplane Efficiency 37 22 km kg C1 b Class 18 July 28 2008 Speed over a recognized course 440 0 km h 273 4 mph 237 6 kn Blackall QLD Australia Rockhampton QLD Australia 19 Variants Edit Sonerai I single seat racer Sonerai II fuselage Sonerai II with a Subaru engine Sonerai I Single seat Formula V Racer 1 20 Sonerai II Two seat mid wing conventional gear 20 3 Sonerai II L Two seat low wing conventional gear 20 3 Sonerai II LT Two seat low wing 20 conventional gear 20 3 tricycle gear developed in 1983 21 Sonerai II LS Two seat low wing stretched fuselage conventional gear 20 3 5 Sonerai II LTS Two seat low wing stretched tricycle gear 20 3 5 Specifications Sonerai II Edit Sonerai II L Data from Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1982 83 22 General characteristicsCrew 1 Capacity 1 passenger 23 Length 18 ft 10 in 5 74 m Wingspan 18 ft 8 in 5 69 m Height 5 ft 0 in 1 52 m Wing area 84 0 sq ft 7 80 m2 Airfoil NACA 64212 Empty weight 500 lb 227 kg Max takeoff weight 1 150 23 lb 522 kg Fuel capacity 10 US gal 8 3 imp gal 38 L Powerplant 1 1700cc modified Volkswagen air cooled engine air cooled flat four 65 70 hp 48 52 kW Propellers 2 bladedPerformance Maximum speed 140 kn 160 mph 260 km h Cruise speed 120 kn 140 mph 230 km h Stall speed 38 kn 44 mph 71 km h Range 300 nmi 350 mi 560 km at 75 power with reserves Rate of climb 500 ft min 2 5 m s See also EditMonnett Moni Monnett Monerai Sonex Aircraft Southern Aeronautical ScampReferences Edit a b c d e f g The Sonerai I GreatPlainsAS com Sonerai Works retrieved November 11 2020 Plane and Pilot s Homebuilt Aircraft Annual Winter 1975 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Missing or empty title help a b c d e f g h i j k SoneraiWorks LLC is Now the Supplier of Plans and Model Specific Parts for the Sonerai Series of Sport Aircraft press release as reprinted December 10 2014 Kitplanes retrieved November 11 2020 Tacke Willi Marino Boric et al World Directory of Light Aviation 2015 16 page 110 Flying Pages Europe SARL 2015 ISSN 1368 485X a b c The Sonerai II Stretch GreatPlainsAS com Sonerai Works retrieved November 11 2020 Bob Barton May 1991 Bob Barton s Sonerai IIL Sport Aviation Sport Aircraft History Great Plains Aircraft Retrieved October 8 2008 Race to Oshkosh Sport Aviation 6 March 1972 Flying Twins your choice of one or two Popular Mechanics 108 August 1974 Sport Aviation 15 February 2015 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Missing or empty title help Cook Marc December 30 2019 Sonerai Kit Aircraft Comes Home AVweb Archived from the original on January 2 2020 Retrieved December 15 2019 Bayerl Robby Martin Berkemeier et al World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011 12 page 104 WDLA UK Lancaster UK 2011 ISSN 1368 485X Jim Cunningham John Monnett from Sonerai to Sonex FAI world Records Retrieved January 18 2015 Robin Austin October 2010 Four World Records Sport Aviation FAI Record ID 15060 Speed over a recognized course C 1a Landplanes take off weight 300 to 500 kg Federation Aeronautique Internationale Record date May 17 2008 Accessed October 4 2015 FAI Record ID 15065 Aeroplane Efficiency C 1a Landplanes take off weight 300 to 500 kg Federation Aeronautique Internationale Record date June 5 2008 Accessed October 4 2015 FAI Record ID 15066 Aeroplane Efficiency C 1b Landplanes take off weight 500 to 1000 kg Federation Aeronautique Internationale Record date June 8 2008 Accessed October 4 2015 FAI Record ID 15100 Speed over a recognized course C 1a Landplanes take off weight 300 to 500 kg Federation Aeronautique Internationale Record date July 28 2008 Accessed October 4 2015 a b c d e f g Purdy Don AeroCrafter Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook Fifth Edition page 171 BAI Communications 15 July 1998 ISBN 0 9636409 4 1 Moll Nigel Comstock Bryan May 1983 Reporting Points And Tricycle Sonerai Flying Vol 110 no 5 p 12 Taylor 1982 pp 554 555 a b Janes All the World s Aircraft 1992 1993 p 518 Taylor John W R ed 1982 Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1982 83 London Jane s Yearbooks ISBN 0 7106 0748 2 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Monnett Sonerai Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Monnett Sonerai amp oldid 1124143731, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
