Mon, Apr 01, 2019
Developing A Multi-Rotor Kit For Waiex-B Conversion
Aero-News April 1 Special Edition
Sonex Aircraft is jumping on the Urban Air Mobility eVTOL bandwagon with a kit that will allow Sonex Waiex builders and owners to convert their aircraft into an Uber Elevate-style aircraft.
The kit consists of a dozen electric motors and rotors that will bolt onto the wings, fuselage and empennage of the airplane. To save weight, Sonex recommends removal of the engine of the airplane, replacing it with a bank of batteries to run the electric motors.
Like most of the eVTOL concepts, the eVEX-B is still very much in the drawing-board stage in the company's Hornet's Nest R&D division. But Sonex Founder and president John Monnett says he believes the concept is sound. "The kit segment has always been a hotbed of innovation, and we wanted to be sure that eVTOL was available to pilots of more modest means," Monnett said. "Frankly, if there are going to be George Jetson-style Personal Air Vehicles that fold up into a briefcase, it's more likely to come out of the Hornets Nest than the Skunk Works. And since they can fly under the 'Experimental' imprimatur, we're far more likely to be flying before any of those other eVTOL concepts."
"Flying is supposed to be fun, but have a practical side. The eVEX-B will check both boxes," said Mark Schaible, Sonex General Manager. "Basing the aircraft on the Waiex-B airframe means flying the eVEX-B will be like getting into a great big drone and heading off to the office, the beach, the grocery store ... the possibilities are endless. This will truly be the aircraft everyone will want in their garage. And if they don't have a garage, they'll build one just for this," he said.
More News
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Aero Linx: International Association of Professional Gyroplane Training (IAPGT) We are an Association of people who fly, build or regulate Gyroplanes, who have a dream of a single >[...]
NORDO (No Radio) Aircraft that cannot or do not communicate by radio when radio communication is required are referred to as “NORDO.”>[...]
Also: uAvionix AV-Link, F-16 Viper Demo, TN National Guard, 'Staff the Towers' A Saturday afternoon jump run, originating from SkyDive Kansas City, went bad when it was reported th>[...]
Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) The operation of a UAS beyond the visual capability of the flight crew members (i.e., remote pilot in command [RPIC], the person manipulating th>[...]