Sonex, a builder of recreational lightweight two-seat aircraft kits, is closing its doors, effective immediately.
Sonex’s owner Mark Schaible announced the “bad news” in an emotional YouTube video, citing a “perfect storm” of bank pressure, a severe drop-off in sales, increasing costs, competition from its own used aircraft and cashflow realities.
“Please know that we have fought tooth-and-nail to make Sonex successful,” he said in the video.
Schaible joined Sonex in 2003 and bought the company in 2022.
Roughly 700 aircraft are flying today, according to Flying Magazine. Sonex is the maker of the Sonex, Waiex, Onex, and other kitbuilt sport aircraft.
“It is incredibly painful for me to bring this news to you today, and my wife and I will be filing a personal bankruptcy in addition to the bankruptcy of the business,” he said. “We are now unemployed and struggling. We have given everything we could have possibly given to this business.”
Sonex has broken his heart for the second time, Schaible said. The first was in the death of Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett, who was killed, along with assembly mechanic Mike Clark, in 2015 near the company’s headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, when his two-seat Sonex SA crashed on approach to Wittman Regional Aircraft. He was son of Sonex founder John Monnett Jr.
Schaible said he realizes an “11th hour miracle” is unlikely. However, he and John Monnett are interested in finding someone to support the Sonex fleet.
“That includes completion of the work required to ship Sonex Highwing kits. We are speaking with key vendors and other contacts about how that can possibly work, but again, it will take someone other than John or myself to make it happen,” Schaible says. “If you are watching or reading this announcement and have the interest and resources to take-on that role, please get in touch. I am unlikely to benefit financially from such an arrangement, but please know that I will support the efforts of anyone willing to step-up in good faith, to the best of my ability.”
Sonex’s vendors, staff and customers will be impacted by the move, he said. “To all of you, I wish to express my most sincere apologies for this situation. I have enjoyed great relationships with so many of our customers and will sorely miss being able to talk to you and support your dreams of building and flying your own aircraft.”
The Sonex staff is “among the finest, most talented and dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” he said. That weighs heavily. “Our only consolation is knowing that with their talents and dedication, they will earn a lot more money elsewhere than they have with Sonex.”
He said he realizes many will be angry, losing money and find the announcement difficult to accept.
Schaible joined EAA Chapter 44 in Brockport, New York at the age of 14. His late father drove him to meetings each month. “Believe me when I say that this is not how I want my EAA story end,” Schaible said.
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