[Sonaca Aircraft] Historic flight, Tuesday March 8, 2018

[Lalibre.be] Sonaca Aircraft présente la version définitive du Sonaca 200, premières livraisons en mai

Sonaca Aircraft présente la version définitive du Sonaca 200, premières livraisons en mai Les deux premiers exemplaires de l'appareil, dont la production est déjà à un stade avancé, seront d'ailleurs livrés le mois prochain à deux... http://www.lalibre.be/economie/libre-entreprise/son… View Now

[actu-aero.fr/] Sonaca 200 : certification européenne imminente pour le bi-place belge

/// Sonaca 200 : certification européenne imminente pour le bi-place belge La campagne d'essais en vol du monomoteur bi-place du constructeur belge Sonaca Aircraft en vue de l'obtention d'une certification EASA CS-VLA (ELA1) s'est terminée fin janvier. Le Sonaca 200 devra… http://actu-aero.fr/2018/03/20/sonaca-200-certifica… View Now

Sonaca Aircraft : Newsletter January

Forwarded message - From: Sonaca Aircraft

Date: 8 February 2018 at 08:29
Subject: Newsletter January
To: yduwelz@gmail.com

Click here if you can't view this e-mail correctly NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2018 2018 HAS STARTED OFF WITH THE CLOSURE OF THE FLIGHT TEST PROGRAM, GETTING THE DOA (DESIGN ORGANIZATION APPROVAL, EASA) AND THE START OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST MODELS OF THE SONACA 200. IMPLEMENTATION OF AN AMBITIOUS INDUSTRIAL PROJECT IS BEING CONDUCTED IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE SONACA GROUP. Review of the Sonaca 200 static and fatigue analyses Sonaca Aircraft quite naturally turned to Sonaca for the sizing of the Sonaca 200. "The Sonaca Group has significant experience in the dimensioning and certification of aeronautical structures for aircraft in the CS-25 category for which the certification criteria are much more stringent than those of the Sonaca 200" pointed out Carl Dewandel, Structure Compliance Manager, Sonaca Aircraft. The Sonaca 200 static and fatigue analyses were fully carried out under the SONIA calculation environment. "SONIA is able to solve very complex problems such as impact resistance, de-icing, nonlinear behavior, cases of large deformation, fatigue analyses and damage tolerance, etc" explained Albert- Paul Gonze, Sonaca "Digital Methods" Department Manager. In the specific case of the Sonaca 200, the digital model included the 800 parts and 15,000 rivets which make up the aircraft. SONIA has allowed us to accurately calculate the safety coefficients andmaximize the reliability of all the elements. EASA has issued the DOA certificate to Sonaca Aircraft In accordance with 216/2008 (EC) and 748/2012 (EU) Regulations, EASA has issued the "Design Organization Approval" certificate to Sonaca Aircraft (Part 21, section A, Subpart J.). To obtain the DOA, Sonaca aircraft had to demonstrate to the competent authorities that it has the necessary organization, procedures, authorities and resources to design and certify a CS-VLA type aircraft (in reference to the Sonaca 200). Getting the DOA proves that we have a high level of technical maturity and mastery of our product. Thanks to the DOA, Sonaca Aircraft will have the privilege to certify certain modifications or repairs. This will allow us to be very reactive towards customer requests — Simon André, Head of Independent Monitoring at Sonaca Aircraft Sonaca Aircraft has closed the flight tests After having successfully carried out the static test program as well as all the tests for stability, noise, vibration, performance and stalling, the Sonaca 200 closed its flight test program with the spin tests which proved to be conclusive. The flight certification campaign is now over. The Sonaca 200 will be EASA certified for a take-off weight (MTOW) of 750 kg and a cruising speed of 115 knots. First deliveries starting in March 2018 The first aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in March of this year. In 2018, Sonaca Aircraft will produce 3 aircraft per month and will increase its production capacity to 5 aircraft per month in 2019. Our team is at your disposal to show you and let you try out the Sonaca 200. Please contact us to make an appointment: info@sonaca-aircraft.com Sonaca Aircraft is a subsidiary of the Sonaca Group, a major player in the development, manufacture and assembly of advanced structures intended for civil, military and space markets. With a starting capital of over 3 million euros, Sonaca Aircraft is 70% owned by the Sonaca aeronautic OEM. Sonaca Aircraft's main goal has been to develop, certify and market a new two-seater single-engined aircraft ("Sonaca 200"), which has been specially designed and adapted for flight schools and leisure flights. SONACA 200: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICES ENGINE: BRP Rotax 914 F – 115 hp SEATS: Seating capacity: 2 DIMENSIONS: Wing span: 9.15 m Length: 7 m WEIGHT AND LOAD: Weight empty: 445 kg Maximum take-off weight: 750 kg Fuel Capacity: 140 l (2 x 70 l) PERFORMANCE: Max cruise speed: 115 knots Rate of climb: 750 feet per minute STRUCTURE: Aluminum Alloy FUEL CONSUMPTION: 18 l/hour PRICE: Price: 175,000 euros excl vat (analog instrumentation version) Sonaca Aircraft info@sonaca-aircraft.com www.sonaca-aircraft.com Pierre Van Wetter, Head of Sales & Marketing Sonaca Aircraft We look forward to meeting you for the next issue of our newsletter. In the meantime, we invite you to follow us and interact with Sonaca Aircraft's team via e-mail or social networks.

Sonaca Aircraft · Nationale 5 · Gosselies 6180 · Belgium

Video Sonaca Aircraft Review of the year

[Sonaca aircraft] Spin flight test

Sonaca Aircraft performs static and fatigue analysis on the Sonaca 200 with the support of Sonaca's "Numerical Methods" team

Forwarded message - From: Frederique Jacobs 

Sonaca Aircraft performs static and fatigue analysis on the Sonaca 200 

with the support of Sonaca's "Numerical Methods" team

News:

•       Static and fatigue analysis on the Sonaca 200 has been performed under Sonaca's SONIA virtual sizing environment
•       Sonaca Aircraft is currently in the final phase of the Sonaca 200 flight test programme
•       The delivery of the first Sonaca 200's is scheduled for the beginning of 2018

The static and fatigue analysis for the Sonaca 200, a single-engined two-seater designed for training and leisure flights, were undertaken entirely within the SONIA environment[1]. SONIA is a structural computing environment that has been developed by the aerospace equipment manufacturer Sonaca, and embed:

•  the best computation software using the finite element method (SAMCEF, ABAQUS or NASTRAN);
• sizing methods developed over more than 40 years by Sonaca's design office.

"SONIA automates and standardises our sizing process. It covers structure idealisation, load application, launch of analyses as well as result post-processing according to design requirements", explains Albert-Paul Gonze, Head of Sonaca's "Numerical Methods" team.

SONIA: a proven environment 

This approach has been developed over more than 15 years and has been validated by numerous tests. It is used for certifying Sonaca aircraft. It allows innovation in the design of aircraft and more efficiency in terms of weight reduction. "SONIA is able to solve very complex problems such as impact resistance, de-icing, non-linear behaviour, large deformation, fatigue analysis and damage tolerance, etc.", Albert-Paul Gonze says.

The Sonaca 200's 800 parts and 15,000 rivets

"We naturally turned to Sonaca for the sizing of the Sonaca 200. The Sonaca Group has significant experience in the sizing and certification of aeronautical structures for CS-25 category aircraft[2] whose certification criteria are much more stringent than those for the Sonaca 200", says Carl Dewandel, Head of Structure Compliance at Sonaca Aircraft. "In the specific case of the Sonaca 200, the digital model included the 800 parts and 15,000 rivets that make up the plane. SONIA has made it possible to precisely calculate the safety coefficients and to maximise the reliability of all the elements ".

Final stage of Sonaca 200 flight tests for EASA CS-VLA certification

After successfully passing the static test programme as well as all stability, noise, vibration, performance and stall tests, the Sonaca 200 begins the final flight-test phase (spin test). Sonaca Aircraft completes the steps to obtain DOA[3]. Delivery of the first aircrafts is still scheduled for the beginning of 2018.

### END ###

Pictures © Sonaca : Views of the different stages of sizing.

About Sonaca Aircraft

Sonaca Aircraft is a new subsidiary of Sonaca Group, major actor in the development, production and assembly of advanced aircraft destined for the civil, military and spatial markets. With a start-up capital of more than 2 million euros, Sonaca Aircraft is owned at 65% by the aeronautical supplier Sonaca.Sonaca Aircraft's primary objective is to develop, certify and commercialise a new two-seater aircraft (« Sonaca 200 ») specifically designed and adapted for training and leisure flights. More information: www.sonaca-aircraft.com.

About Sonaca

The Sonaca Group is active in the development, manufacturing and assembly of aircraft for the aerospace, civil, military and space markets. The company's headquarters is located in Gosselies, Belgium. Its 5,000 employees work throughout its subsidiaries or production sites located in Canada, United States, Brazil, Mexico, England, China, Romania, Sri Lanka and Germany. The Group also offers engineering services and has recently introduced a flight school aircraft, the Sonaca 200.

Sonaca 200 : Technical specifications and price

ENGINE :

            •          BRP Rotax 914 F – 115 hp

SEATS :

            •          Number of seats:2

DIMENSIONS :

            •          Wing span:9,15 m

            •          Lenght:7 m

WEIGHT AND LOAD:

                  •                Empty weight:445 kg

                  •                Maximal mass at take-off:750 kg

                  •                Fuel capacity:140 l (2 x 70 l)

PERFORMANCES :

                  •                Max cruise speed :115 knots

                 •               Climb rate :750 feet per minute

STRUCTURE :

                  •                Aluminium alloy

CONSOMMATION :

                  •                18 l/hour

PRIX :      

                  •                Price:175 000 euros.

---

[1] SONIA: Structure design Environment, Numerical Analyses & Virtual Testing, Sonaca.

[2] EASA Category CS-25: Large Aeroplanes.

[3] DOA: Design Organisations Approvals, EASA.

Press Release 

Pictures © Sonaca : Views of the different stages of sizing.

Sonaca Aircraft : OO-NEW has just gone from maintenance center for its 100 hours inspection

Sonaca Aircraft enregistre les premières commandes fermes du Sonaca 200

Message transféré - De : Frederique Jacobs 

Communiqué de presse 

Sonaca Aircraft enregistre les premières commandes fermes du Sonaca 200  

 Actualités :

·       - Sonaca Aircraft a invité ses clients à tester le Sonaca 200 (OO-NEW) et a enregistré les premières commandes fermes.

·       - Sonaca Aircraft a procédé à la recapitalisation de la société afin d'anticiper la phase d'industrialisation.

·       - Yoan Beulque a rejoint Sonaca Aircraft en tant que Responsable de la Production.

Le lundi 4 septembre 2017, les premiers clients de Sonaca Aircraft ont été invités à tester le Sonaca 200 (OO-NEW), nouvel avion monomoteur biplace destiné à la formation des pilotes et aux vols de loisir. Au terme des vols d'essai, les pilotes se sont montrés très enthousiastes. La Belgian Flight School a confirmé sa commande initiale.

André Muller, Pilote, Belgian Flight School[1] témoigne :

« En apparence le OO-NEW est la copie conforme du OO-SON. Mais en réalité, de nombreuses modifications structurelles le différencient de son jumeau. En occupant le siège de droite, je me suis senti à l'aise dans le cockpit ; la position en hauteur est idéale et les coussins des sièges moins épais semblent convenir à tous.

Le champ de vision est tout bonnement génial. Rien de comparable avec la vision limitée de certains appareils à ailes hautes. Un atout majeur pour la sécurité en vol.

Au sol, le taxi est aisé, sans difficulté. En vol, l'avion est agréable à piloter, souple aux commande, réactif et à réponse directe dans les trois plans. Le moteur Rotax, avec hélice à pas fixe, répond aux besoins d'un vol d'entrainement.

Les décrochages effectués dans toutes les configurations sont sains. La sortie de décrochage se déroule sans problème avec très peu de perte d'altitude.

Le Sonaca 200 a montré une très bonne manœuvrabilité dans toutes les phases de vol rencontrées (montées, descentes, virages à forte inclinaison et approche sans puissance).

La phase d'atterrissage effectuée avec un ralenti trop élevé n'a pas posé de difficultés et le train d'atterrissage semble avoir la robustesse nécessaire à l'écolage initial.

En résumé, le Sonaca 200 (OO-NEW) semble très prometteur et idéal comme avion d'écolage ».

Recapitalisation et démarrage de la phase d'industrialisation

Vu le succès commercial du Sonaca 200, les actionnaires de Sonaca Aircraft ont opté pour une recapitalisation de la société. Pierre Van Wetter, Co-Fondateur & Chief Commercial Officer de Sonaca Aircraft, déclare « Nous avons enregistré une trentaine de précommandes. Pour pouvoir livrer nos clients dans les meilleurs délais, nous avons opté pour une recapitalisation de la société afin d'anticiper la phase d'industrialisation ».

Yoan Beulque a rejoint Sonaca Aircraft en tant que Responsable de la Production

Yoan Beulque (30 ans) est titulaire d'un diplôme d'ingénieur industriel de l'Université de Paris-Est. Avant de rejoindre Sonaca Aircraft, Yoan a travaillé durant plus de 6 ans au sein du département production de Sonaca[2].

Dans le cadre de sa nouvelle fonction, Yoan Beulque a pour mission d'organiser, d'optimiser et de contrôler les activités de la chaîne de production certifiée et multi-sites de Sonaca Aircraft.

« L'arrivée de Yoan marque le démarrage de la phase d'industrialisation du Sonaca 200. Grâce à son expérience des processus de production au sein de l'industrie aéronautique, Yoan allie connaissance métier et savoir-faire technique, deux compétences stratégiques à cette étape du projet» souligne Harold van der Straten, CEO de Sonaca Aircraft.

Certification du Sonaca 200 et livraison des premiers avions

Après avoir franchi, avec succès, le cap des essais statiques[3], le Sonaca 200 poursuit la procédure de certification par la phase des essais en vol. « Nous avons déplacé l'avion et délocalisé une partie de l'équipe dans le Sud de la France afin de poursuivre les essais dans des conditions climatiques optimales » précise Pierre Van Wetter « Nous prévoyons une certification EASA[4] d'ici novembre 2017 et la livraison des premiers avions fin 2017 - début 2018 ».

Sonaca 200  : spécifications techniques et prix

MOTEUR :

                  •                BRP Rotax 914 F – 115 hp

SIEGES :

                  •                Nombre de places : 2

DIMENSIONS :

                  •                Envergure : 9,15 m

                  •                Longueur : 7 m

POIDS ET CHARGE :

                  •                Masse à vide : 445 kg

                  •                Masse maxi au décollage : 750 kg

                  •                Capacité carburant : 140 l (2 x 70 l)

PERFORMANCES :

                  •                Vitesse de croisière max : 115 nœuds

                  •                Taux de montée : 750 pieds par minute

STRUCTURE :

                  •                Alliage Aluminium

CONSOMMATION :

                  •                18 l/heure

PRIX :     

                  •                Tarif  : 175 000 euros.

 Au sujet de Sonaca Aircraft

Sonaca Aircraft est une nouvelle filiale du groupe Sonaca,  acteur majeur dans le développement, la fabrication et l'assemblage de structures avancées destinées aux marchés civil, militaire et spatial. Dotée d'un capital de départ de plus de 2 millions d'euros, Sonaca Aircraft est détenue à 65% par l'équipementier aéronautique Sonaca. Le premier objectif de Sonaca Aircraft est le développement, la certification et la commercialisation d'un nouvel avion monomoteur biplace (« Sonaca 200 »), spécialement conçu et adapté pour l'écolage et les vols de loisir. Plus d'informations : www.sonaca-aircraft.com

---

[1] Belgian Flight School (BFS) propose des formations de pilote (pilote de ligne, pilote privé et instructeur). www.bfshool.be

[2] Expert technique et partenaire privilégié des principaux avionneurs parmi lesquels Airbus, Embraer, Bombardier et Dassault, Sonaca groupe est actif dans le développement, la fabrication et l'assemblage de structures avancées destinées aux marchés civil, militaire et spatial. www.sonaca.com

[3] Les tests de résistance de l'aile du Sonaca 200 ont été confiés à l'IABG, centre d'essais aéronautiques basé en Allemagne. www.iabg.de

[4] Le Sonaca 200 sera certifié EASA CS-VLA  pour un poids au décollage (MTOW) de 750 kg et une vitesse de croisière de 115 noeuds.

Communiqué de presse Sonaca Aircraft enregistre les premières commandes fermes du Sonaca 200 (Français & English)

Photo/Picture (Sonaca Aircraft) : Sonaca 200 (OO-NEW). 

Frédérique JACOBS Communication www.sonaca-aircraft.com

[Sonaca Aircraft] Good news ! The flight domain is now fully tested and cleared

Newsletter Sonaca Aircraft

 Forwarded message - From: Sonaca Aircraft

Click here if you can't view this e-mail correctly NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2017 WE DEVOTED THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 2017 TO THE ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST TWO SPECIMENS OF THE Sonaca 200 INTENDED FOR THE GROUND AND FLIGHT TESTS. The first aircraft (FTA1, Flight Test Aircraft 1), assembled at Sonaca's site in Belgium, was entirely dedicated to ground tests. We tested the resistance of the seats, the seat-belts (harness) as well as the engine mount and the nose gear leg by simulating hard landings or through crosswind. By the end of February, the wing resistance tests were carried out by the IABG, an aeronautical test centre based in Germany and specialised in resistance tests. The wing of the Sonaca 200 on its test bench for limit-load, ultimate and failure load. 80% of the structure of the Sonaca 200 resized compared to the initial "amateur-built" version. The shape of the aircraft, the wing profile and the choice of the materials have been maintained. Regarding modifications and improvements to the prototype, 80% of the initial structure has been overhauled in order to meet the market demands, on the one hand, and the requirements for EASA certification, on the other hand. The structural resistance has been significantly modified to withstand a maximum takeoff weight of 750kg with a load factor of 4,4G, representing a 25% increase compared to the initial aircraft. We have just started the flight test program using the second aircraft (FTA2, Flight Test Aircraft 2), assembled in Gosselies. This second test phase will last 4 months and reach up to a hundred of flight hours. The flight test campaign will mostly unfold in South of France (for meteorological reasons). During the certification program, we keep on accepting pre-orders of the aircraft which achieves an appreciable commercial success throughout Europe. The first deliveries of the Sonaca 200 are still expected at the end of 2017! Sonaca Aircraft pursues its presentation tour of the Sonaca 200 Our team travels throughout Europe to introduce our new aircraft to private pilots and instructors (training centres). The Sonaca 200 took off last spring to Scandinavia and visited Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Thanks to the great visibility offered by the cockpit and its canopy, the pilots could enjoy the view on the Fjords and other magnificent landscapes! Sonaca Aircraft remains at your disposal to introduce and let you try the Sonaca 200. Please contact us to arrange an appointment: info@sonaca-aircraft.com "We flew the Sonaca 200" Major Frédérik Vansina, Belgian Air Force, testifies On April 21, Major General Frederik Vansina, Belgian Air Force, visited Sonaca Aircraft for a flight with the Sonaca 200. Find out its testimony below. Our thanks to Major Vansin for honouring us by his visit! The Sonaca 200 flies like a champion! Both elegant and robust thanks to its metallic construction, the access on board is easy. The ground steering system enables a precise control of the nose gear and a light action on the rudder is sufficient to maintain the aircraft on the runway during take-off. The Sonaca climbs fast thanks to a good thrust/weight ratio and accelerates rapidly to reach its cruise speed of 120 knots. During all the flight phases, the aircraft behaves obediently and predictably, and therefore qualifies as an ideal training aircraft for ab initio pilots. Landing is eased by the commands that are precise at low speed. The Sonaca is an aircraft particularly well suited. The notion "Made by pilots for pilots" which appears on the aircraft can actually be felt throughout the flight. Congratulations to Sonaca for achieving such an outstanding aircraft! — Major General Frédérik Vansina, Belgian Air Force Congratulations to Guillaume Dohet on its participation to the Open Belgium Gliding Nationals which took place from May 20 to 28 at Saint-Hubert Airfield (Belgium)! Sonaca Aircraft info@sonaca-aircraft.com www.sonaca-aircraft.com Pierre Van Wetter, Head of Sales & Marketing Sonaca Aircraft We look forward to meeting you, by the end of 2017, for the next issue of our newsletter. In the meantime, we invite you to follow us and interact with Sonaca Aircraft's team via e-mail or social networks.

Sonaca Aircraft · Nationale 5 · Gosselies 6180 · Belgium