Sonex First to Receive Official FAA NKET Listing Under New Amateur Building Rules

Sonex Aircraft LLC’s Sonex, Waiex and Xenos aircraft kits are the first to receive official FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) checklist acceptance and publication under the newly revised rules governing experimental/amateur-built aircraft.

Sonex Aircraft invited the FAA’s newly formed National Kit Evaluation Team to use Sonex, Waiex and Xenos kits for their practice evaluation exercises, making Sonex Aircraft a natural choice for the NKET’s first official evaluations to follow.

As of March 31, the Sonex, Waiex and Xenos are the first amateur-built kits to be accepted by the FAA under Advisory Circular AC 20-27G, FAA Order 8130.2F, and FAA Order 8130.35.  

NKET evaluation bolsters the pre-existing, grandfathered evaluations of Sonex Aircraft kits. It also updates the acceptance to include the latest Pre-Assembled Main Wing Spar and Machined Angle Component kit upgrades offered by Sonex Aircraft.

In addition, Sonex Aircraft customers can use NKET checklists to determine exactly how much commercial assistance may be used in the construction of their projects without violating the “major portion” requirement of 14 CFR section 21.191(g) for experimental/amateur-built aircraft, commonly referred to as the “51 Percent Rule.” 

“While the Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos kits were already grandfathered in from the previous evaluations, Sonex Aircraft saw value in pursuing evaluation under the new rules particularly for our customers who wished to legally obtain commercial assistance for their projects,” commented Jeremy Monnett, Sonex Aircraft, LLC General Manager and CEO.

“Sonex Aircraft also wants to continue its leadership role in the development and integration of the new rules governing amateur building in the United States. Our experience with the new rules, the NKET, and FAA management has been superb. The FAA is, in our view of things, fairly and consistently integrating these new rules.”

Sonex Aircraft customers can download all versions of the Amateur-Built Aircraft Fabrication and Assembly Checklist (2009) form for Sonex, Waiex and Xenos aircraft, find FAQ’s and other important information on the Sonex Aircraft, LLC web site.

Sonex Aircraft, LLC is a leader in the experimental kit aircraft industry, providing a series of Sport Pilot eligible kit aircraft and producing the AeroConversions line of products which include the AeroVee engine, AeroInjector and ancillary aviation products. The Sonex and Waiex sport planes, and the Xenos sport motorglider offer outstanding performance in an easy to build, easy to fly kit package that can be purchased and completed with full technical support at an unrivaled price.