Sport Pilot Talk

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Welcome Dale, and thanks for sharing the video.
I've always been a bit curious about Sonex.

Hey Dale!

I used to follow your exploits when I was building a Sonex a few years ago. I sold that project and bought a CTSW to fly. I still love the Sonex line and might build another someday.

Good to see you here!

SportPilot wrote:I'm surprised Kimberly-Clark hasn't sued for trademark infringement. Kleenex is, of course, one of their most recognizable and valuable trade names. Regardless of what you call it, I would love to own one of those. Welcome.

I really doubt they are going to sue anyone over the non-commercial use of a nickname given to a home built airplane.

Dale, welcome to the group.

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Daleandee wrote:What in the world is a Cleanex you ask?

Hello ... My name is Dale and I fly a Corvair powered Sonex tailwheel airplane a.k.a. a "Cleanex" which is the name used as Sonex LLC didn't want these to be called a Sonex unless it had one of their recommended engines installed. I've been monitoring this forum for years and became a member a few months ago and figured I'd post a note about me and the airplane.

I'm a Sport Pilot. My current aircraft was built by myself and a mentor that had previously scratch built a beautiful Sonex. For more of the airplane you can see my newest video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0afcagd70UE

I have enjoyed reading and learning much from this site over the years. Lot of good information here.

Dale Williams
N319WF @ 6J2
Myunn - "daughter of Cleanex"
120 HP - 3.0 Corvair
Tail Wheel - Center Stick
Signature Finish 2200 Paint Job
94.7 hours / Status - Flying
http://kitplanes2.com/blog/2013/12/ownerbuilder-2/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC49h6Q ... Ftg/videos

Why Cleanex?

Why not Corvex or Sonvair?

seems like a better blending of Corvair & Sonex

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The 'Cleanex' name, as Dale suggests, can be more easily understood if you have a chance to see the Panther. Dan is a tremendously talented guy, an 'airport kid' who is largely self-taught, intuitively creative (and that includes designing a plane in ways it can be easily and inexpensively built) and he strikes me as someone who has a tremendous future in recreational aviation. In fact, much of Dan's initial commercial success came from applying what he learned about the Corvair engine's weaknesses as an aircraft power plant to customizing solutions which have become the 'new normal' for Corvair advocates. Beyond that, you can tell a lot about the company a man keeps, and they don't come any better than Chris Smith.

Welcome, Dale. Here's hoping you can help expand the focus of things here towards the E-AB world a bit. It's one of our weakest areas of dialogue.

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To see a bit about the first Panther to take flight:
http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news-and- ... kes-flight

I'm told this issue of Sport Aviation has an article on Bob and his newly flown Panther. Bob's flown in a wide variety of a/c, from F15's to just about the entire RV line...and he's built several Glassair's, as well. So hearing (reading) him speak to the construction & flight details of the Panther should be quite informative.

I spoke at length to the Panther folks at Oshkosh this year. Dan and his wife (whose name escapes me) are both very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. They had a built airplane and a partially built one there, so I was really able to dig into the construction.

It is a very well thought out kit. The primary construction is traditional semi-monocoque skin-and-ribs, and there is a steel cage structure around the cockpit. It felt very solid and well made. And it looks like a little mini-Extra, so points for style too.

I hadn't made that connection to an 'Extra' but you're right, Andy, it does share a similar silhouette.

The fact the plane can be flown with a variety of engines, up to 150/160 hp I believe, also speaks to its structural integrity, along with its acro ability. I'm looking forward to seeing Bob's flying Panther at the next 1379 chapter meeting at 'NAS Haller'.