Category Archives: Experimental Aircraft

Podcasts of Experimental Aircraft or how they call it in Canada amateur built aircraft.

Shocking surprise during my annual.

Being a first time aircraft owner and owning my Sonex for 2 years now I try to be vigilant when it comes to my inspections.  As a result of  putting  to bed every winter I do two annual inspections on it 1st inspection as I get it ready for the flying season and the second every August for TC requirements.
I keep myself up on service bulletins and if required completed them. Which I did with this one.

SNX-SB-002

Dated: 08-22-05

Required on all Sonex Aircraft

CHECK ALL WELDED COMPONENTS FOR CRACKS IMMEDIATELY:
All Welded Components should be checked prior to your next flight with a particular emphasis on the motor mounts in the area of the lower mount pin attach points. These should be continuously checked at regular intervals after that, such as at Oil Changes, 25, 50, 100, 500 hour inspections and at Annual Inspection.

Note: A crack in your black powder-coated welded component will show as a bright white/gray line and any separation of the structure will be visible to the naked eye. A flashlight and magnifying glass should be used to assist in the inspection.

Any crack found must be repaired prior to your next flight.

With probably less than 10hrs put on this puppy this year before the required annual. Firewall forward to my surprise how fast this could happen. Not sure what I could have been from but I glad I don’t take corners and follow my inspection sheet to the “T”.

So now I must ask. As the engine needs to be pulled and repaired to repair the mount which I’ve heard can be and better the new.
So if anyone knows where I can get a sand blaster to remove the entire powder coat to inspect and reinforce the mount. I would truly grateful.

hopefully reading this will prevent people from skipp8ng corners. It simply isn’t worth it.

On a second note.   For gods sake DON’T TELL MY WIFE

Regards

Mark

Experimental Aviation 16: Belite Chipper Aircraft ”JAMES WIEBE” is BACK! Manufacturing kits for YOU to build

We saw that James recently starting posting a lot on Social Media with some CAD designs and some of his own YouTube videos and decided to reach out to him to see what the fuss was all about. James owns “BELITE AIRCRAFT” in Wichita Kansas and several years back was force to close up shop after a fire in his production facility burned down the building. Well… he is back in action and planning to resume production in 2022!