CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 7:27 pm
by Rickkeys
I am about to purchase a used 2009 Sonex and the insurance company requires me to fly 2 hours with a CFI. Only problem is the CFI has to have 25 hours in make and model. I’m in the Virginia Beach area. I can’t be the only person to have this problem. Any suggestions?
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 8:08 pm
by Outlaw6
You can shop around for another insurance company. I switched to the insurance company the CFI used and they had him get 2 hours in type. So the builder took the CFI up twice for an hour each. Then I flew my 2 hours with the CFI.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 10:33 pm
by Sonex Foundation
Great advice
There’s a relevant thread here
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 10:34 pm
by Rickkeys
Thanks. I’ll look into it
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:16 pm
by Sx1552
Have you talked to the EAA about insurance? Years ago, when my insurer wanted me to get 10 hours of training in a Christen Eagle, when I had plenty of Pitts S2A time, I found an insurer through EAA who understood the difficulty of getting training in an experimental and was very helpful. Years later, I partnered in a Luscombe 8A and found that the EAA could get us a much better rate than the insurer he had. It’s worth asking.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:55 pm
by pilotyoung
When I bought my Onex last fall, the insurer required 2 hours of dual with a CFI in a tailwheel Sonex. When I could not find that anywhere in the US, I proposed to the insurer that I get 2 hours of dual with a CFI in a Cub. They accepted that because I was already had my RV-12 insured with them.
Good luck. I know a CFI in Arizona who owns a tailwheel Sonex who will come to you and give you dual in your Sonex. If you want to pursue that option, PM me.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:23 pm
by Sx1552
pilotyoung wrote:When I bought my Onex last fall, the insurer required 2 hours of dual with a CFI in a tailwheel Sonex. When I could not find that anywhere in the US, I proposed to the insurer that I get 2 hours of dual with a CFI in a Cub. They accepted that because I was already had my RV-12 insured with them.
Good luck. I know a CFI in Arizona who owns a tailwheel Sonex who will come to you and give you dual in your Sonex. If you want to pursue that option, PM me.
I’m shopping for a Sonex to replace my Citabria while I finsh my own Sonex project, so I would also be interested in getting in touch with this person, soon.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:46 pm
by Sx1552
I need someone to explain how to work the PM symbol. Is there a place on this website to find instructions? I have put in recipients and not been able to send. I would like to contact people like the CFI on the west coast who give transition training, but don’t know how to get my phone number or e-mail to the person who posted this.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2021 12:25 am
by Sonex1517
When you send a PM it may appear to sit in your outbox. In reality, it does that until it’s read.
Hope that helps?!
Also See here
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2021 10:10 pm
by doublee3
I just purchased a 2011 Sonex tri-gear and insurance requires I receive 5h of time with a CFI who has 25h+ in a sonex and 500h+ total time… I can fly my sonex to anywhere in the continental u.s. (preferably east of the rocky mountains). I’m based near Indianapolis, IN. The aircraft currently has 544h total time (3h with me as PIC) and I have a signed LODA. Ideally I could get this training within the next 60 days so my hangar lease requirements are met.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 9:24 am
by badaero
doublee3
Where are you located? I did my transition here in Tennessee earlier this year before the LODA mess started.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:49 am
by doublee3
The sonex is based at khfy (near Indianapolis, IN) I’d be happy if I could fly to Tennessee for training :). I should be ready in a week or two as I’m waiting for parts to arrive in the mail to fix an oil leak and for a replacement oil pump (the builder rebuilt most of the engine about 200h ago, but did not replace the oil pump. The pressure is on the low side so hopefully a new pump will fix this.)
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:44 pm
by dsmith3689
In in a similar situation in Orlando, FL. Any CFIs in the area that can help with a tri-gear Sonex A with an Aerovee?
I also need to do 5hrs with someone with 25hrs in type.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:49 pm
by SonexN76ET
I am seriously considering getting a sport pilot certified flight instructor rating (CFI-S) in order to teach my kids to fly as well as to do insurance mandated transition flights for new Sonex pilots. I am in the final stages of completing the installation of my new Rotax 912 ULS and should be back in the air in about a month. I am based out of Sarasota, FL. This will be my opportunity to contribute to the safety and success of the Sonex community.
I need to find out if the insurance companies will accept transition flights with a CFI-S for new Sonex pilots first. I also need to make sure I can afford the insurance for flight instruction in my aircraft.
I have a commercial and instrument rating with about 1,500 hours of PIC time and have been safely flying for 32 years. I have about 250 hours in the Sonex and completed the Sonex factory transition training with Joe Norris in 2014. My other flight hours are mostly in T-34s, Bonanzas, Mooneys, Cessnas, and a Sport Cruizer.
The reason I am looking at CFI-S versus regular CFI is because I am flying under basic med as many of us do now and no longer want to deal with the FAA medical hurdles.
If this is of interest to you please let me know and check with your insurance company if a CFI-S will be sufficient for their requirements.
Jake
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:17 am
by Sonex1517
Jake,
This is awesome news and THANK YOU! I know others have been looking at the same opportunity to be a sport CFI for transition training, and I am hoping we all hear more about this soon.
For all of you looking for training, please let the community know what you find, what your insurance company or broker tells you, and what alternatives are offered. It truly helps everyone.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:58 am
by sonex1084
SonexN76ET wrote:
The reason I am looking at CFI-S versus regular CFI is because I am flying under basic med as many of us do now and no longer want to deal with the FAA medical hurdles.If this is of interest to you please let me know and check with your insurance company if a CFI-S will be sufficient for their requirements.
Jake
Hey Jake, A CFI can fly and instruct under Basic Med. You don’t need a 3rd, 2nd or 1st class medical. In certain circumstances a CFI doesn’t even need a medical certificate at all For example, you are instructing an individual who is rated in the aircraft and has a medical, basic or otherwise.
My advice is to get a regular CFI if you have the time and money. If you want to teach your kids, they will get a better start in aviation in the chance they want to make it a career. You will get more out of it should you decide to expand your opportunities.
Matt
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:05 am
by racaldwell
Just for reference, I used Assured Partners Aerospace through the AOPA to get insurance for my Xenos. They came back wanting time with a CFI but I explained this was not possible as no one is available after Sonex stopped their transition program. They then came back saying it was not required but raised my deductible and lowered coverage during phase 1. This is what I went with. Currently at 23 hrs into phase 1.
I do have more than 1500 hrs of tailwheel time in more powerful planes than the Xenos so I’m sure that helped my argument.
Hopefully, Jake is successful in setting up a transition program in a Sonex. It certainly is needed. Regardless, thank you for trying.
Rick Caldwell
Xenos 0057
Camit 3300
Melbourne, FL
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 10:47 am
by builderflyer
SonexN76ET wrote:
The reason I am looking at CFI-S versus regular CFI is because I am flying under basic med as many of us do now and no longer want to deal with the FAA medical hurdles.Jake
Jake, Matt is correct…a “regular” CFI can teach under basic med or with no medical at all under the right circumstances. No need to limit yourself to the CFI-S to avoid your perceived medical hurdles. Are you going to be limiting your instruction to tricycle gear aircraft? Thanks for wanting to give back to the Sonex community.
Art,Sonex taildragger #95,Jabiru 3300 #261
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:02 am
by dhgreenfield
Hello Everyone,
I am located in the Cedar Rapids area and looking to purchase a Sonex aircraft.
The insurance folks are telling me that the will most likely require me to get some time with a CFI that has a large amount of Sonex time before they will insure me/the aircraft. Does anyone know of a CFI here in the midwest with Sonex hours?
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2022 9:43 am
by Tnhelm
I am a instructor with Sonex transition training experience, located in Wisconsin. The question is do you have access to the aircraft, its equipment, it’s location, an your current experience.
I am a part time corporate pilot so training has to work around my schedule. I also built and own a OneX currently in phase 1 flight test.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 8:45 am
by Rancher
Hi Tnhelm… Came across your post on Sonex transition. I’m buying a Sonex A model with the Aerovee this week in Green Bay N2192SX. I’m located in SE Iowa and the plane will be hangared at KAWG (Washington Iowa). I’m 210 lbs. 56 year old farmer and N2192SX has an EW of 663. I’m going to need transition training obviously and I do know its going to be a challenge to get it. I’m about to start TW training locally but starting the search for a CFI approved for the Sonex. Could that be you possibly ? Thanks for reading
ericroberts5884@gmail.com
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 1:01 am
by doublee3
Falcon insurance told me I don’t need transition training if I have 15 hours total time in the Sonex… so I’m now over half-way there. I was delayed due to a crank case crack found during the condition inspection. In November 2021 they quoted 1300/yr with 25k Hull and 1M liability only for a tri-gear Sonex. The sonex was one of the few aircraft I could get insurance for that also seemed appealing to me as I’m a new enough PPL to mostly get laughed at by insurance. I have almost 100 hours total time in aircraft.
I’ve practiced basic PPL maneuvers and the plane handles nicely. The only issues I’ve had (that I’m aware of) is my first takeoff I rotated a bit aggressively as I was used to heavy C172 controls and I don’t like using 30 degrees of flaps as the handle presses on my leg and I’m worried about that interfering with rudder control.
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 6:51 am
by Tnhelm
What part of the case was the crack found and was it causing an oil leak?
Re: CFI with Sonex time?
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 4:35 pm
by karmarepair
doublee3 wrote:Falcon insurance told me I don’t need transition training if I have 15 hours total time in the Sonex… so I’m now over half-way there.
Does this mean you’re flying without cover right now?
doublee3 wrote:I’ve practiced basic PPL maneuvers and the plane handles nicely. The only issues I’ve had (that I’m aware of) is my first takeoff I rotated a bit aggressively as I was used to heavy C172 controls …
This lines up with my experience as a New To Sonex Pilot - I had a hard time with the pitch sensitivity.