PHOTO: SONEX
Hot on the heels of Van’s Aircraft’s first foray into high-wing designs, another American kitplane manufacturer recently launched its first high-wing aircraft. Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based Sonex announced that the first flight of its imaginatively-titled Sonex Highwing took place on the evening of Monday, 30 June 2025.
In a statement, Sonex said all engine parameters were in the green and the aircraft handled as expected with only slight rigging adjustments needed. The prototype’s weight & balance envelope also met the design criteria, with the aircraft currently weighing only 370kg empty. The company is continuing with further test flights and has already installed fairings for the undercarriage legs and spats for the mainwheels.
The Highwing is designed to be powered by a range of different engines, varying in power from 100 to 130hp and including motors from AeroVee, Jabiru, UL Power and Rotax. There is also a choice of wingspans. The short wing aerobatic version will have load limits of +6/-3 g.
