If you’re in the market for a small airplane, you may have come across the Sonics and YX models. These planes are known for their affordability and impressive performance, with the Sonics in particular marketing itself as the best performance per dollar in aviation.

With a wingspan of just 22 feet, these planes are small and lack creature comforts, but their focus is on delivering an exceptional flying experience at an affordable price. In this article, we’ll explore the cost to performance comparison of these planes, their design and structure, engine options, and more to help you determine if a Sonics or YX is the right choice for your needs.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Sonics and YX planes are known for their affordability and impressive performance.
These planes prioritize affordability and performance over creature comforts and luxury.
The cost to own a Sonics is exceptionally low compared to other aircraft.

Understanding Sonics and YX

When it comes to choosing between Sonics and YX, you might be wondering which one is better. As far as cost to performance goes, they are pretty much identical. Both planes have a tail wheel or tricycle gear and a wingspan of just 22 feet, which is 11 feet shorter than the diminutive Cessna 150. Creature comforts are scarce, and the cockpit is on the noisy side. However, if you’re looking for the best performance per dollar in aviation, then Sonics is the way to go.

Sonics markets itself as an affordable and high-performance airplane. The little old Sonics is capable of plus 6 and -3 g’s and is also aerobatic. The performance numbers speak for themselves. You could buy a Sonics kit engine, propeller, and panel all for the price of a Lycoming IO360, an engine you’d find in a whole smorgasbord of other planes, plenty of which happen to have worse performance than the little old Sonics.

Sonics airplanes have two priorities: affordability and performance. In that order, pretty much everything else is a distant third. These are very small airplanes, and if you begrudge Sonics because of its lack of luxury, you’re missing the point.

The Sonics kit plane is cheaper to buy than to build. Once a kit plane has been around for a while, two things happen. First, more and more become completed and available on the secondhand market. Increased supply, of course, reduces price, and second, the cost to build slowly increases over time. But anyway, these are low prices as far as airplanes go. Individual expenses look like this:

Insurance: the most normal expense. It’s an experimental plane with a thirty to fifty thousand dollar hole value.
Hangar: a cost saver. The 22-foot wingspan can fit easily into a shared hanger. Also, the wings contain no fuel and can be removed in about half an hour if you have a helper.
Condition inspections: on experimentals are pretty inexpensive, generally speaking, and the Sonics, of course, are no exception.
Fuel: the Arrowv engine can burn 91 octane car gas, although it’s just four gallons an hour. The difference between high test auto gas and avgas is just a dollar or so, so you’re more likely to go with whatever fuel is more convenient to get.
Overhaul: the Arrowv itself is an experimental engine and doesn’t have a TBO. The manufacturer says they’ll last between 700 and 1200 hours if they’re treated well, so we’ll plan to see an overhaul at 950 hours. The overhaul itself is amazingly cheap and can cost as little as 500 bucks. Worst case scenario according to the manufacturer is only two thousand dollars, so the reserve cost on this airplane is a hilarious range of between 40 cents and 280. We’ll just call it a buck.

Adding it all together reveals that the Sonex really is an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own. It doesn’t take much time and research into general aviation to realize that this is one very expensive hobby, but aviation is broad, and there’s more than one way to get off the ground, some of which cost much less than others.

Cost to Performance Comparison

When considering the cost to performance ratio, both Sonics and YX planes are virtually identical. The YX has a Y-tail, but it can be mistaken for a V-tail. However, the little stump at the back of the fuselage is actually a rudder, making the tail a full Y instead of just a V.

Sonex airplanes prioritize affordability and performance, with everything else coming in a distant third. These planes are very compact, with a wingspan of only 22 feet, which is 11 feet shorter than the Cessna 150. Creature comforts are limited, and the cockpit can be noisy, but if you’re looking for the best performance per dollar, Sonex is the way to go.

The Sonex is also aerobatic and capable of plus 6 and -3 g’s. You can purchase a Sonex kit, engine, propeller, and panel for the same price as a Lycoming IO360 engine, which is used in many other planes with worse performance than the Sonex. The performance numbers speak for themselves.

The 80 horsepower AeroV engine is used for the Sonex, and it is capable of burning 91 octane car gas, with a fuel consumption rate of just four gallons per hour. The engine is experimental and doesn’t have a TBO, but if it is treated properly, it can last between 700 and 1200 hours. The overhaul cost is quite cheap, with a worst-case scenario of just $2000.

When it comes to individual expenses, insurance is the most costly. The Sonex is an experimental plane with a hole value of $30,000 to $50,000. Hangars are a cost-saving option, as the 22-foot wingspan can easily fit into a shared hangar. The wings contain no fuel and can be removed in about half an hour with the help of another person. Condition inspections are relatively inexpensive, and the Sonex is no exception.

The reserve cost for the Sonex is hilariously low, ranging from 40 cents to $2.80, so we’ll just call it a buck. When all of these expenses are added together, it becomes clear that the Sonex is an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own. While aviation can be an expensive hobby, there are various ways to get off the ground, and the Sonex is one of the most cost-effective options available.

Design and Structure

The Sonics and YX airplanes are designed with affordability and performance in mind. Both airplanes are small, with a wingspan of just 22 feet, and come with a tail wheel or tricycle gear. Creature comforts are scarce, and the cockpit is on the noisy side, but that’s not the point of these airplanes. Sonics markets itself as the best performance per dollar in aviation, and the performance numbers speak for themselves.

The YX has a Y tail, but it’s not just the V. The little stump at the back of the fuselage is actually a rudder, making the tail a full Y. The Sonics, on the other hand, has a white tail.

The Sonics and YX have identical cost-to-performance ratios. They’re both capable of plus 6 and -3 g’s and are aerobatic. The Sonics comes with an 80 horsepower AeroV engine, which Sonix makes and sells as a kit. The engine burns 91 octane car gas and consumes only four gallons an hour. The Aerov engine has no TBO, but the manufacturer estimates that it will last between 700 and 1200 hours if treated well. The reserve cost on this airplane is between 40 cents and 280, making it an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own.

The Sonics kit includes the engine, propeller, and panel, all for the price of a Lycoming IO360 engine, which is found in many other planes. The 120 horsepower Jabro engine is also available as an option, which boosts cruise and climb speed significantly.

In terms of structure, Sonics and YX are both kit planes that are cheaper to buy than to build. They’re small enough to fit easily into a shared hangar, and the wings contain no fuel and can be removed in about half an hour with a helper. The condition inspections on experimentals are generally inexpensive, and the Sonics is no exception. Insurance is the most normal cost, and it’s an experimental plane with a thirty to fifty thousand dollar hole value.

Priorities of Sonex Airplanes

When it comes to Sonex airplanes, affordability and performance are the top priorities. These small aircraft have a wingspan of just 22 feet, making them much smaller than the Cessna 150. Creature comforts are scarce, and the cockpit can be noisy, but that’s not the point. Sonex markets itself as the best performance per dollar in aviation, and the numbers speak for themselves.

Sonex airplanes come with a tail wheel or tricycle gear, and both the Sonex and YX models have identical cost-to-performance ratios. The YX has a Y-tail, but it’s easy to mistake for a V-tail due to the little stump at the back of the fuselage, which is actually a rudder. The tail is a full Y, not just a V.

The performance numbers for the 80 horsepower AeroV engine are impressive, and Sonex makes and sells these engines as a kit. In fact, you can buy a Sonex kit, engine, propeller, and panel for the price of a Lycoming IO360 engine, which is found in many other planes with worse performance than the Sonex. The Sonex is also aerobatic and capable of plus 6 and -3 Gs.

While the Sonex may lack luxury, it more than makes up for it in affordability and performance. It’s one of many kit planes that are cheaper to buy than to build, and the individual expenses are quite reasonable. Insurance is the most normal cost, and hangar rental is a cost saver since the 22-foot wingspan can fit easily into a shared hangar. The wings contain no fuel and can be removed in about half an hour with a helper.

Condition inspections on experimentals like the Sonex are generally inexpensive, and the AeroV engine can burn 91 octane car gas at just four gallons an hour. The reserve cost on this airplane is a range of between 40 cents and 280, making it an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own.

Performance of Sonics

When it comes to cost-to-performance ratio, Sonics and YX are identical. Sonics airplanes have a wingspan of just 22 feet, which is 11 feet shorter than the Cessna 150. Despite the lack of luxury, Sonics markets itself as the best performance per dollar in aviation. The little old Sonics is capable of plus 6 and -3 g’s, making it an aerobatic plane.

Sonics airplanes have two priorities: affordability and performance. The cockpit is on the noisy side, and creature comforts are scarce. But if you’re looking for a plane that delivers the best performance per dollar, Sonics is the way to go.

Sonics comes with a tail wheel or tricycle gear, and the tail is a full y, not just the v. The YX has a y tail, but you might mistake it for a v tail. The little stump at the back of the YX fuselage is actually a rudder.

Sonics makes its engines, and you can buy a kit that includes the engine, propeller, and panel for the same price as a Lycoming IO360 engine. The 80 horsepower AeroV engine is the standard option, but you can opt for a 120 horsepower Jabro engine, which boosts cruise and climb speed.

Sonics is one of the many kit planes that are cheaper to buy than to build. Once a kit plane has been around for a while, the cost to build slowly increases over time. But Sonics is still an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own.

Here’s a breakdown of individual expenses for Sonics:

Insurance: This is the most normal cost and usually ranges from $500 to $1,000 per year.
Hangar: A 22-foot wingspan can fit easily into a shared hanger, which is a cost saver.
Condition inspections: Generally speaking, these are pretty inexpensive, and Sonics is no exception.
Fuel: The AeroV engine can burn 91 octane car gas, and it consumes just four gallons an hour.
Reserves: The reserve cost on this airplane is a hilarious range of between 40 cents and 280. We’ll just call it a buck.

Adding it all together reveals that Sonics is an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own. It doesn’t take much time and research into general aviation to realize that this is one very expensive hobby. But aviation is broad, and there’s more than one way to get off the ground, some of which cost much less than others.

Engine Options

The Sonex and YX airplanes come with two engine options: the 80 horsepower AeroV engine and the 120 horsepower Jabro engine. The AeroV engine is the standard engine that comes with the kit, and it is capable of burning 91 octane car gas. It consumes just four gallons an hour, making it fuel-efficient. The engine is experimental and has no TBO, but the manufacturer claims that it can last between 700 and 1200 hours if treated well. The overhaul cost is cheap, ranging from $500 to $2000, with a worst-case scenario of $2000. The reserve cost for the AeroV engine is between 40 cents and 280, making it very affordable.

The Jabro engine is an optional upgrade that boosts cruise and climb speed. However, it is more expensive than the AeroV engine. The Sonex company makes the AeroV engines and sells them as a kit, so you’ll not only be building the plane but also the engine. This unique cost-saving option makes the Sonex airplane one of the most affordable planes to own.

Cost Saving Options

When it comes to cost-to-performance, the Sonics and the YX are identical. The YX has a Y-tail, but it might look like a V-tail due to the little stump at the back of the fuselage, which is actually a rudder. Both Sonics and YX come with a tail wheel or tricycle gear.

Sonex airplanes prioritize affordability and performance, with affordability being the top priority. These small airplanes have a wingspan of just 22 feet, which is 11 feet shorter than the Cessna 150. Creature comforts are scarce, and the cockpit is on the noisy side. However, if you’re looking for luxury, you’re missing the point. Sonix markets itself as the best performance per dollar in aviation, and the performance numbers speak for themselves. The Sonics is also aerobatic and capable of plus 6 and -3 g’s.

The Sonics is one of the many kit planes that are cheaper to buy than to build. Once a kit plane has been around for a while, more and more become completed and available on the secondhand market, which reduces the price. The cost to build slowly increases over time.

Here are the individual expenses for the Sonics:

Insurance: This is the most normal of all the costs. It’s an experimental plane with a $30,000 to $50,000 hole value.
Hangar: The 22-foot wingspan can fit easily into a shared hanger. Also, the wings contain no fuel and can be removed in about half an hour if you have a helper.
Condition inspections: These are generally inexpensive for experimental planes, and the Sonics is no exception.
Fuel: The Arrowv engine can burn 91 octane car gas, although it’s just four gallons an hour. The difference between high-test auto gas and avgas is just a dollar or so, so you’re more likely to go with whatever fuel is more convenient to get.
Engine overhaul: The Arrowv itself is an experimental engine and doesn’t have a TBO. The manufacturer says they’ll last between 700 and 1200 hours if they’re treated well, so we’ll plan to see an overhaul at 950 hours. The overhaul itself is amazingly cheap and can cost as little as $500. The worst-case scenario, according to the manufacturer, is only $2000.

Adding it all together reveals that the Sonex is an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own. It doesn’t take much time and research into general aviation to realize that this is one very expensive hobby. However, aviation is broad, and there’s more than one way to get off the ground, some of which cost much less than others.

Market Dynamics of Kit Planes

If you’re in the market for a small and affordable airplane, you may want to consider the Sonex or YX. These planes have a wingspan of just 22 feet, making them much smaller than the Cessna 150. However, they offer exceptional performance per dollar.

Both Sonex and YX planes come with a tail wheel or tricycle gear and have a full Y tail. The YX may look like it has a V tail, but the little stump at the back of the fuselage is actually a rudder.

Sonex airplanes prioritize affordability and performance, with creature comforts taking a backseat. The cockpit can be noisy, and there aren’t many luxuries to speak of. However, if you’re looking for the best performance per dollar, Sonex is hard to beat.

The Sonex kit comes with an 80 horsepower Aerov engine that burns 91 octane car gas at a rate of just four gallons per hour. You can also opt for a 120 horsepower Jabro engine for increased cruise and climb speed. The Aerov engine is unique in that Sonex makes and sells it as a kit, allowing you to build both the plane and engine at a lower cost.

While the Sonex kit is cheaper to buy than to build, individual expenses can add up. Insurance is a must and can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per year. Hangar costs can be saved by sharing a space with other small planes, and the Sonex’s wings can be removed in about half an hour. Condition inspections are generally inexpensive, and the Aerov engine’s overhaul costs just $500 to $2,000.

Overall, the Sonex is an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own, with a reserve cost of just $1 to $2. If you’re looking for an affordable way to get off the ground, the Sonex or YX may be just what you need.

Individual Expenses

When buying an aircraft, it’s important to consider all the individual expenses that come with it. For the Sonex and YX planes, the costs are relatively low compared to other aircraft.

Here’s a breakdown of the individual expenses for a Sonex:

Insurance: This is the most normal cost, and for an experimental plane with a $30,000 to $50,000 hole value, it’s relatively affordable.
Hangar: With a 22-foot wingspan, the Sonex can fit easily into a shared hanger. This is a cost saver, as it reduces the need for a private hangar.
Condition inspections: These are generally inexpensive for experimental planes, and the Sonex is no exception.
Fuel: The Aerov engine can burn 91 octane car gas, and at just four gallons an hour, it’s relatively fuel-efficient. The difference between high-test auto gas and avgas is just a dollar or so, so you’re more likely to go with whatever fuel is more convenient to get.
Engine overhaul: The Aerov engine is an experimental engine and doesn’t have a TBO. The manufacturer says they’ll last between 700 and 1200 hours if they’re treated well, so plan for an overhaul at 950 hours. The overhaul itself is amazingly cheap and can cost as little as $500. The worst-case scenario, according to the manufacturer, is only $2,000. So, the reserve cost on this airplane is a hilarious range of between 40 cents and 280. We’ll just call it a buck.

Adding it all together reveals that the Sonex is an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own. It’s important to do your research and consider all the individual expenses before making a purchase, but the Sonex is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a low-cost option.

Insurance and Hangar Costs

When it comes to owning a Sonex or a YX, there are a few expenses you’ll need to consider. Insurance is the most normal cost, as these are experimental planes with a hole value of $30,000 to $50,000. Hangar costs can be a cost saver, as the 22-foot wingspan can fit easily into a shared hangar. Additionally, the wings contain no fuel and can be removed in about half an hour if you have a helper.

Condition inspections on experimentals are generally inexpensive, and the Sonex is no exception. The Aerov engine can burn 91 octane car gas, and at just four gallons an hour, the difference between high test auto gas and avgas is only about a dollar, so you’re more likely to go with whatever fuel is more convenient to get. The Aerov engine itself is experimental and doesn’t have a TBO. The manufacturer says they’ll last between 700 and 1200 hours if they’re treated well, so plan to see an overhaul at 950 hours. The overhaul itself is amazingly cheap and can cost as little as $500. The worst-case scenario, according to the manufacturer, is only $2,000, so the reserve cost on this airplane is a hilarious range of between 40 cents and $2.80.

Condition Inspections

When it comes to condition inspections, Sonex airplanes are generally inexpensive to maintain. The Arrowv engine, which can burn 91 octane car gas, only consumes four gallons per hour. The manufacturer claims that the engine will last between 700 and 1200 hours if it is treated well. Overhaul costs for the engine are also quite low, ranging from $500 to $2000.

Additionally, the condition inspections on experimentals, including the Sonex, are typically inexpensive. The reserve cost for the Sonex is between 40 cents and $2.80, making it an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own.

Overall, the Sonex is marketed as the best performance per dollar in aviation, and it’s hard to argue with the performance numbers. While creature comforts may be scarce, the affordability and performance of the Sonex make it an attractive option for those looking to get off the ground without breaking the bank.

Fuel and Engine Overhaul

When it comes to owning a Sonex or YX airplane, one of the most significant expenses you’ll face is fuel. Luckily, the Aerov engine used in the Sonex can burn 91 octane car gas, which is typically cheaper than avgas. At just four gallons an hour, the difference between high-test auto gas and avgas is only around a dollar, so you’ll likely opt for whatever fuel is more convenient to get.

As for engine overhauls, the Aerov engine doesn’t have a TBO, but the manufacturer claims it will last between 700 and 1200 hours if treated well. You can expect to see an overhaul at around 950 hours, which can cost as little as $500 or up to $2000 according to the manufacturer. This makes the reserve cost for the Sonex range from 40 cents to $2.80, which is quite affordable.

Overall, the Sonex is an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own, with low individual expenses and a low cost of ownership. With its excellent performance per dollar, it’s no wonder that Sonex markets itself as the best value in aviation.

Total Ownership Cost

When it comes to the cost of owning a Sonics or a YX aircraft, both planes offer similar performance at an affordable price point. Sonex airplanes prioritize affordability and performance, with everything else being a distant third. The wingspan of these small airplanes is just 22 feet, making them smaller than even the Cessna 150.

Despite their lack of creature comforts, Sonics and YX are both excellent performers. In fact, Sonics markets itself as the best performance per dollar in aviation. The plane is also aerobatic and capable of plus 6 and -3 g’s.

If you’re looking to save on costs, building a kit plane is a great option. Sonics offers an Aerov engine kit that you can build yourself, which is a unique cost-saving option. The Aerov engine burns 91 octane car gas and can run for 700 to 1200 hours before needing an overhaul.

In terms of individual expenses, insurance is the most normal cost for an experimental plane with a value of $30,000 to $50,000. Hangar fees are also affordable, as the 22-foot wingspan can fit easily into a shared hanger. Condition inspections are generally inexpensive for experimentals, and the Sonics is no exception.

Overall, adding up all the costs reveals that the Sonex is an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own. With a reserve cost ranging from 40 cents to $2.80, it’s clear that the Sonics is an excellent choice for those looking for an affordable way to get off the ground.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sonics and YX airplanes are both excellent choices when it comes to cost and performance. The YX has a Y tail, which is often mistaken for a V tail due to the small stump at the back of the fuselage. However, the tail is actually a full Y, not just a V. Both airplanes come with a tail wheel or tricycle gear.

Sonex airplanes prioritize affordability and performance, with creature comforts taking a backseat. The cockpit can be noisy, and the planes are quite small with a wingspan of only 22 feet. However, the performance numbers are impressive, with the ability to perform aerobatics and handle plus 6 and -3 g’s.

The Aerov engine, which is made by Sonex and sold as a kit, is a unique cost-saving option. It burns 91 octane car gas and can last between 700 and 1200 hours if treated well. The reserve cost for the Sonex is between 40 cents and 280, making it an exceptionally affordable aircraft to own.

Overall, if you’re looking for the best performance per dollar in aviation, the Sonex is an excellent choice. Its low cost and impressive performance numbers make it a great option for those looking to get off the ground without breaking the bank.