Monnet Sonerai I
The Sonerai I is a mid-wing sport plane, racer, designed and first built in 1971to meet all Professional Race Pilots Association (PRPA) and Formula Vee Racing requirements for 1600cc Volkswagen powered aircraft. Its wings are 2024-T3 aluminum.025" except for the spars which are .040". The wing is composed of two panels that fold along side the fuselage, enabling the Sonerai I to be towed tail first on it's own gear. Stainless steel cherry rivets are used to skin the wing. The fuselage and tail are of standard 4130 chrome moly tubing.
The Sonerai I uses a minimum of different sizes of tubing to reduce the cost. Cowling is fiberglass, and fuselage and tail surfaces are fabric covered. The fiberglass cowling removes easily to allow complete access to the engine, magneto, tank and instruments. The landing gear is manufactured from 1/2" x 5" 2024T-351 aluminum. The Sonerai I will accept engine displacements from 1600cc through 2180cc.
Price in 1982: $2,527.
![]() Engine: VW 1600 – 2180cc
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