Members of the Sonex team celebrate the company’s new beginnings with new owner Mark Schaible (far right). (Photo: Sonex LLC)

Mark Schaible has purchased the assets of Sonex Aircraft LLC and Sonex Aerospace LLC. He has been with the company for more than 18 years, most recently as general manager, and now take on the roles of owner and president of the newly formed Sonex LLC.

The Oshkosh, Wisconsin, company focuses on the manufacture of kit aircraft, including accessories and RPAS technologies. It plans to retain all current staff and continue the primary operations established in 1998 by founder John Monnett, who will stay-on as a lifetime emeritus advisor as-part of a new Sonex Advisory Board.

“John Monnett is a legendary name in the aviation industry, so I am very humbled and excited to have the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of his achievements and continue to shape the Sonex legacy into the next generation,” said Schaible.

Long-time Sonex employee and controller/customer service manager/HR manager Heather Zahner will move up to the general manager position for the organization.

In addition to Monnett, the new Sonex Advisory Board includes original Sonex design partner and Lockheed Martin Senior Fellow Pete Buck; Sonex alumnus and Sonerai builder Joe Norris; Chilton, WI machine shop owner, Sonex supplier and AirVenture aircraft judging chairman Dave Juckem; and Chad Feucht, a retired Air Force F-16, F-22 and operational test pilot, former Lockheed-Martin and Boeing employee who currently owns and operates a wealth management practice in Fond du Lac, WI.

Sonex plans to continue serving both the piston and turbine experimental aircraft markets with its current products. In addition, new products and development priorities include:

• The JSX-2T two-seat SubSonex Personal Jet, scheduled to debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022;
• The Sonex High Wing being unveiled at AirVenture 2023;
• Additional support for the installation of Rotax 912-series engines, including the Rotax 912iS with a factory installation in-progress that will be the basis for the installation in the EAA AirVenture 2022 One Week Wonder;
• Expanded support for UL Power’s line of 4-cylinder engines and Jabiru engines;
• Advancements in Sonex’s line of AeroConversions products, while closely monitoring the engine market for other new products that may become good candidates to power Sonex aircraft as they develop and prove reliability.

“Future strength for Sonex will come from innovation and diversity within our product line, as we see great things on the horizon,” Schaible said.