June 21, 2018 http://www.GeneralAviationNews.com — facebook.com/ganews 15Puts company
on the market
After almost 50 years in the kit aircraft
industry, Sonex Founder and President
John Monnett has retired.
“I am retiring from Sonex Aircraft but
not forsaking my passion for aviation,” he
said. “I will continue to contribute where
I can into the future, but will be leaving
day to day operations in the very capable
hands of my staff.”
Monnett continues to own the experi-
mental aircraft and engine company, but
opportunities for alternative ownership
lie in its future, he said, noting he invites
offers from qualified individuals and/or
companies who are interested in buying
the company or in assisting Sonex Air-
craft with the transition to an employee-
ownership succession plan.
“Current and prospective customers
can rest assured, however, that Sonex Air-
craft is still going strong,” said General
Manager Mark Schaible. “In the midst of
its most successful period in recent years,
Sonex Aircraft has a full order book of
kits, including several new customer-
owned SubSonex Personal Jet Quick
Build Kits, along with many additional
delivery commitments for traditional kits
and sub-kits, and many traditional and
Quick Build kits already delivered this
year to date.”
In addition, Sonex Aerospace has been
contracted by Navmar Applied Sciences
Corporation (NASC) to build two addi-tional Teros UAS in 2018, he said. The
Teros Group 4 UAS is derived from the
Xenos Motorglider, and offers Medium
Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS
capabilities to government and civilian
customers, Schaible explained.
Monnett’s roots in experimental air-craft date back to 1968 when, as a young
school teacher, he began building a high-
ly-modified Midget Mustang project and
was first introduced to legendary aircraft
designer and builder Steve Wittman, lay-
ing the groundwork for a long friendship
with Wittman and the development of
Formula Vee racer Sonerai I, Monnett’s
first design.
The Sonerai eventually launched Mon-
nett into business. He has many designs to
his credit, including several iterations of
the Sonerai design, the Monerai sailplane,
Moni motorglider, the world-record-hold-
ing Monex racer and the complete line of
Sonex Aircraft models.
John is an inductee into the EAA Home-
builders Hall of Fame, is a two-time win-
ner of the Dr. August Raspet Memorial
Award, has received the EAA Freedom
of Flight Award, the Society of Experi-
mental Test Pilots Spirit of Flight Award,
the Oshkosh Wisconsin Key to the City
award, and many more distinctive honors
throughout his career.
Those interested in learning more can
read his biography, “John Monnett: from
Sonerai to Sonex” written by Sonex
builder Jim Cunningham and available
for purchase from Sonex Aircraft.
SonexAircraft.comSonex’s John Monnett retires
Photo by Sonex Aircraft
John Monnett.