Sonex Aircraft

I went to a local EAA fly-in on Saturday at the Springville/Spanish Fork airport and the subject was Sonex Aircraft. Two local builders flew their airplanes to the event and spoke about their experiences. One plane was scratch built (the red one) and the other was built from a kit (the yellow one).

I got to sit the in yellow one and it seemed to fit me just fine. There was sufficient headroom, even with a headset and the legroom was also adequate.

Contrast that with the Ercoupe that I flew in. It was a C model with the STC for Cessna 150 seats, which improved the legroom, but reduced the headroom. I had to lean my head over for the 20 minute flight and the turbulence made my head hit the canopy, but I had fun.

A complete Sonex kit, including engine is just over $25,000. I don't know of another LSA aircraft kit that is even close to that, except maybe for some fabric covered aluminum tube jobs that aren't "real" airplanes.

One of the benefits of the Sonex is the reliable and inexpensive Aerovee engine that the plane was designed to use. I am a great fan of the 80 hp Aerovee, because of the low cost and everyone knows I'm all about low cost. If it's not low cost, that means I can't afford it.

The Sonex kit builder completed his plane in 18 months of work, putting in a couple of hours each day. The Aerovee engine kit took him two days to complete and the cost of overhaul is quoted at $300 to $500. I doubt that you could buy a set of spark plugs for a Continental or Lycoming for that price. By the way, certification means absolutely nothing to me. Track record is what I look for and the Sonex and Aerovee both have a fairly long history with many examples flying.

I'm really tempted to buy a Sonex kit with my flying buddy and start building!

Nacho Cheesiest

As you might have already guessed, this is a very progressive and wide-ranging blog. This is just one of the two or three recipes that I know of and can actually publish. I got this one from my multi-talented nephew, Nik, a true connoisseur of great fast food. This is also one of my son Ben's favorites. Two male stomachs just can't be wrong. Three if you count mine.

This one is called Nacho Doritos. I'm sure you can imagine how this incredible dish is made. First, spread Nacho Cheese Doritos on microwaveable plate. Second, spread grated cheese on top of the Doritos. Third, microwave until the cheese is melted. Fourth, enjoy with your favorite beverage - I recommend Jumex Mango, which you can buy at your local Wal-Mart for 50 cents per can.

Now, I know what you are thinking - Nacho Cheese Doritos with melted cheese on top. Wow! man that is just too much cheese. But, you'd be wrong. Double cheese is doubly good.

I Am Richer Than Carlos Slim

I recently took a group of boy scouts on a tour of a company that makes armored cars for extremely well-healed clients in need of protection from thugs, kidnappers, and extortionists. They start with brand new $110,000 Mercedes cars and add ballistic steel, cloth and glass to bring the car to a B-6 European protection rating. The glass is really laminated glass and polycarbonate 30 millimeters thick. The cost of the alterations nearly doubles the price of the car – around $200,000.

The company manager explained that most of the cars are sold to clients in Latin America, Europe, and Africa. Also, the company has to obtain US State Department export permits for their cars, in an effort to prevent the “bad guys” from obtaining them.

As a mechanical engineer, I found the tour fascinating and I even daydreamed of working there – that’s a favorite pastime of mine – imagining what it would be like to work in different careers. Then, it occurred to me that I am far wealthier than someone like Carlos Slim Helu, who was recently reported by Forbes to be the richest person in the world. See http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/10/billionaires-2010_Carlos-Slim-Helu-family_WYDJ.html

I can walk out my front door and around the block. I can go to Wal-Mart. I can go just about anywhere I want in the world and not have to worry about armored cars and bodyguards. That is not something that Carlos Slim can do, even if he wanted to.

A Drunk and a Pervert

The Utah State Legislature lost (yes, I know that’s a big word) a senator and a representative this year. Both resigned; one because of a DUI arrest and one for sexual misconduct. (Google: Sheldon Killpack & Kevin Garn) I will spare you the salacious details, but in my mind, the whole session is called into question (and every session for that matter). Why is it that these sorts of folks make laws to tell the rest of us what to do? And why does society need 300 or so new laws every year?

The real answer is that society doesn’t need more laws every year. The real raison d'etre is simply a chance for drunks and perverts to take bribes to throw the levers of power in favor of the rich, powerful, and well connected. If you are currently a Representative or Senator, leave now before you are corrupted. Maybe your conscience is already seared and you can easily justify perks from lobbyists to mold legislation favorable to their clients. Remember, the spoils go to the winners. To deny this is to deny what is visible each and every day of the year.

There simply is no legitimacy in the annual smash and grab called the legislative session.

Least you think that I am cynical - I am really just an observer of human folly. How else do you explain, Eliot Spitzer, Bill Clinton, John Edwards, and these two losers? Lord Acton said that power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Lew Rockwell summarized it best when he said that government attracts bad people and corrupts them more. I rest my case.