Sonex Builder Community Regroups in Wake of Company Shutdown

Online discussions reflect a mix of sympathy and serious concerns.

Jonathan Welsh

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 at 03:45 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Michael Jackson’s Onex on the ramp at Blairstown Airport [Credit: Michael Jackson]

Key Takeaways:

Sonex Aircraft abruptly ceased operations on March 27, shocking its community of kitplane builders and owners due to financial pressures, declining sales, and increasing costs.
The shutdown has left many builders, particularly those with unfinished projects, seeking alternative part sources and community support to complete their aircraft.
Despite the disappointment, there is widespread sympathy for Sonex owner Mark Schaible, and efforts are underway to find investors or "saviors" to support the existing Sonex fleet and potentially continue operations, including the promising Highwing model.

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Still stinging with disappointment and surprise, builders and owners of Sonex kitplanes are regrouping and hoping that reports of potential saviors are true, following the company’s abrupt announcement on March 27 that it was ceasing operations, effective immediately.

Discussions on sites and forums including SonexPilots.org and the Experimental Aircraft Channel’s Facebook page indicate builders are adapting to the shutdown by seeking to source parts directly from vendors and advising each other on how they might complete unfinished projects without factory support.