Sonex/Waiex Landing Technique

General Safety and Training
1

Sonex/Waiex Landing Technique

Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 12:51 pm

by Andy Walker

Hey all…

I have never landed a Sonex, and at some point I’ll have to. :mrgreen:

I’d love to hear your landing procedures & techniques in the Sonex/Waiex. I’m building a tri-gear, but interested in conventional gear too. The last plane I landed was a Tecnam P-92, and the landing was basically short final with full flaps @ 60kt, when the runway is made reduce power to idle and glide into the flare. Is the Sonex similar or way different?

Re: Sonex/Waiex Landing Technique

Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 3:14 am

by rizzz

So would I!

I’m in the same boat as you are Andy,
I’ve landed Cessna 152’s and 172’s, Piper Warriors and Citabria’s, but one day I’ll have to land my Sonex.
What do I need to watch out for on that first landing?

Cheers,
Michael
Sonex #145 from scratch (mostly)

Re: Sonex/Waiex Landing Technique

Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:50 am

by N111YX

Guys, I have never been in a tri-gear Sonex but a tailwheel landing is nothing unusual comapred to all other small airplanes.

I’m on base at about 85 mph and enter ground effect at about 65 using two of three notches of flaps which is a bit fast but…

a) there is no “sinking” tenedency (it does not sink a lot but approaching at 65 or less mph would require power)
b) I usually have 5000 feet of runway
c) I like the extra speed in case the engine quits, I rarely need power from abeam touchdown to touchdown

Notes…
-stall is about 50 mph indicated thus 1.3 X Vs0 is 65 mph would be an acceptable approach speed.
-for touchdown, I just work the last few feet to a three point attitude then wait for contact.
-my short field techinque is to use 3 notches and flaps and approach no slower than 60 mph (power is required for a normal glidepath.)

Your mileage may vary… :smiley:

Re: Sonex/Waiex Landing Technique

Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:16 am

by Andy Walker

N111YX wrote:Guys, I have never been in a tri-gear Sonex but a tailwheel landing is nothing unusual comapred to all other small airplanes. Nothing unusual.

I’m on base at about 85 mph and enter ground effect at about 65 using two of three notches of flaps which is a bit fast but…

a) there is no “sinking” tenedency (it does not sink a lot but approaching at 65 or less mph would require power)
b) I usually have 5000 feet of runway
c) I like the extra speed in case the engine quits, I rarely need power from abeam touchdown to touchdown

Notes…
-stall is about 50 mph indicated thus 1.3 X Vs0 is 65 mph would be an acceptable approach speed.
-for touchdown, I just work the last few feet to a three point attitude then wait for contact.
-my short field techinque is to use 3 notches and flaps and approach no slower than 60 mph (power is required for a normal glidepath.)

Your mileage may vary… :smiley:

Thanks Kip! What is your speed on final, about 75mph, slowing to 65mph in the flare?

Re: Sonex/Waiex Landing Technique

Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:33 am

by N111YX

Andy, like most small aircraft landings, I stop looking at the airspeed indicator from 50 feet on. The airspeed reference is the pitch angle of the nose, flat is fast, high is slow.

If I had to guess, I’d be about 65 mph entering the flare.

I would not try to disect the arrival too much regarding speeds and such. Use some target speeds and go by feel the rest of the way.

We can shoot a few landings when you get close to flying…:slight_smile:

Re: Sonex/Waiex Landing Technique

Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:03 pm

by Andy Walker

N111YX wrote:Andy, like most small aircraft landings, I stop looking at the airspeed indicator from 50 feet on. The airspeed reference is the pitch angle of the nose, flat is fast, high is slow.

If I had to guess, I’d be about 65 mph entering the flare.

I would not try to disect the arrival too much regarding speeds and such. Use some target speeds and go by feel the rest of the way.

We can shoot a few landings when you get close to flying…:slight_smile:

Yeah, I agree with you on the “fly by feel” comments. Once you have the approach speed close to where it should be, no need to look again. Especially if you have a long runway, if you’re a little fast you can just wait for it to settle.

Sounds good on the landings…once I get a tailwheel endorsement. :wink:

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Hi Guys,

I flew 1.6 hrs. today. KMWL to KONY and back. I did a lot of touch and goes at KONY. It was a beautiful calm wind morning. Being so calm, I was able to repeat perfect three-point landings. However, the Onex skips on a three-point landing. I only want to log one landing per circuit.

Question: Do any of you guys intentionally land tailwheel first to make sure the airplane “sticks” to the runway?

Thanks,

Wes

3

I definitely do. I know some highly respected posters here say it’s heresy. Especially in crosswinds, I need that tailwheel planted for yaw power. It also chews up speed by having a higher AoA.

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4

I think I’ll try that technique. My instructor insists I “pin the tail” immediately after touchdown. He instructs in a Champ. Works great in a Champ. I think I’ll balloon (kinda) if I try that after a three point in the Onex. Anyway, I’ll try tail-hooking it and see if that doesn’t work better.

Thanks,

Wes

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5

FWIW, I touch tail-first (just barely) in both my Sonex and in most of the gilders I fly. Seems to work well! Obviously, you want to flare nicely and then let the tail settle as you continue to let the speed bleed and the airplane settle. A “Navy approach” is definitely not the way. :wink:

1 Like