scootjam
Active Member
Hi to readers of this thread. I recently purchased Sonerai 1 plans. However, in discussion with an experienced builder
who built a Sonerai 1 he claimed it is definitely not suitable for a low time tail wheel (TW) pilot and a challenge for a high time
TW pilot. I had reviewed a number of Sonerai.net threads where low time TW pilots seemed to be testifying the Sonerai was not difficult.
This experienced builder and TW pilot indicated he thought the Sonerai.net threads I referred to were likely the Sonerai 2.
I'm now considering purchasing the Sonerai 2 plans but to build the nose gear version since the tail wheel configuration appears to be a bit too spirited.
Another surprise, it appears the Sonerai may stop flying closer to 60 mph then the advertised stall speed of 40 mph for the Sonerai 1 and 45 mph for the Sonerai 2.
I was thinking one could hold off till the slower stall speeds are reached to reduce/simplify the ground handling. It appears higher touch down speeds may be the
actual reality for the Sonerai 1 airframe. I'm not sure about the Sonera 2.
I think I'm going to have to re-read the tail wheel threads to make sure I did not read what I wanted to hear. If there are any recent low time tail wheel pilots here
who can relate recent experiences flying their tail wheel Sonerai that would be helpful. Particularly older pilots. I'm a 65 year old Mooney pilot who no longer owns a
Mooney. I have decided to build for my next aircraft owning experience to keep cost down and do my own maintenance. I'm retired so plenty of time to build.
Located in Northwest Arkansas.
who built a Sonerai 1 he claimed it is definitely not suitable for a low time tail wheel (TW) pilot and a challenge for a high time
TW pilot. I had reviewed a number of Sonerai.net threads where low time TW pilots seemed to be testifying the Sonerai was not difficult.
This experienced builder and TW pilot indicated he thought the Sonerai.net threads I referred to were likely the Sonerai 2.
I'm now considering purchasing the Sonerai 2 plans but to build the nose gear version since the tail wheel configuration appears to be a bit too spirited.
Another surprise, it appears the Sonerai may stop flying closer to 60 mph then the advertised stall speed of 40 mph for the Sonerai 1 and 45 mph for the Sonerai 2.
I was thinking one could hold off till the slower stall speeds are reached to reduce/simplify the ground handling. It appears higher touch down speeds may be the
actual reality for the Sonerai 1 airframe. I'm not sure about the Sonera 2.
I think I'm going to have to re-read the tail wheel threads to make sure I did not read what I wanted to hear. If there are any recent low time tail wheel pilots here
who can relate recent experiences flying their tail wheel Sonerai that would be helpful. Particularly older pilots. I'm a 65 year old Mooney pilot who no longer owns a
Mooney. I have decided to build for my next aircraft owning experience to keep cost down and do my own maintenance. I'm retired so plenty of time to build.
Located in Northwest Arkansas.
Last edited: