First Customers Have Been Invited To Test The Sonaca 200 (OO-New)
On Monday September 4th 2017, Sonaca Aircraft’s first customers have been invited to test the Sonaca 200 (OO-NEW), the new two-seater single-engine aircraft designed for pilots’ training and leisure flights. The Belgian Flight School (BFS) has confirmed its initial order.
"The OO-NEW seems to be the exact copy of the OO-SON. But actually, numerous structural modifications make it different from its twin. When sitting on the right seat, I felt comfortable in the cockpit, the position high up is ideal and the thinner cushions of the seats seem to suit all users," said BFS pilot Andre Muller. "The field of vision is simply awesome. Nothing to do with the limited vision of some high-wing aircraft. A major asset in terms of flight safety.
"On the ground, taxiing is easy. During flight, the aircraft is pleasant to fly, with smooth controls, reactive and directly responsive in all axes. The Rotax engine with fixed-pitch propeller meets the needs of training flights.
"The stalls conducted in various configurations are safe. The stall recovery unfolds without problem with very limited altitude loss.
The Sonaca 200 demonstrates a very good manoeuvrability at every flight phase (climb, descent, turns with steep bank angle and thrustless approach).
"The landing phase conducted with an idle too high did not cause any difficulty and the landing gear seems to have the necessary robustness for initial training.
"All in all, the Sonaca 200 (OO-NEW) appears very promising and ideal as a training aircraft."
Given the commercial success of the Sonaca 200, Sonaca Aircraft’s shareholders opted for the recapitalization of the company. Pierre Van Wetter, Sonaca Aircraft’s Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer said about 30 pre-orders have been recorded. "In order to deliver our customers as soon as possible, we have opted for the recapitalization of the company in anticipation of the industrialisation phase," he said.
Additionally, Yoan Beulque joined Sonaca Aircraft as Production Manager. Beulque holds a Degree in Industrial Engineering from Paris-Est University. Before joining Sonaca Aircraft, Yoan has worked in Sonaca’s production department for more than 6 years. In his new assignments, Yoan Beulque’s mission consists in the organisation, optimisation and control of the activities of Sonaca Aicracft’s certified and multi-sites chain of production. "Yoan’s arrival marks the beginning of the industrialisation phase of the Sonaca 200. Thanks to its experience of the production process in the aeronautical industry, Yoan combines professional knowledge and technical know-how, both being strategic skills at this stage of the project," said Harold van der Straten, Sonaca Aircraft’s CEO.
After having successfully passed the static tests, the Sonaca 200 continues the certification procedure with the flight tests phase. "We moved the aircraft and relocated part of our team to South of France in order to pursue the trials under optimal climatic conditions," said Pierre Van Wetter." We expect an EASA certification[4] by November 2017 and the first aircraft deliveries by the end of 2017 – beginning 2018."
The aircraft is expected to sell for about $209,000.
(Image provided with Sonaca Aircraft news release)
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