The new reference of aviation training Sonaca 200 impresses users and generates pre-orders.

In late 2015, the Sonaca group announced the creation of the subsidiary “Sonaca Aircraft” dedicated to the development, certification and market launch of a new training aircraft named Sonaca 200. The two-seater single-engine, specifically designed for pilots’ training and leisure flights, is currently under certification.

Key facts 

• Sonaca 200 is the name that has just been assigned to the first aircraft assembled, in Belgium, by Sonaca Aircraft.  
• The aircraft stands out on the market of general aviation thanks to its stunning flight performances and characteristics, its reliability and reduced operational cost.
• While under ongoing certification, the aircraft registers pre-orders from the first European customers.

An aircraft designed by and for pilots   
Sonaca Aircraft gambled on starting from the users’ needs. Pierre Van Wetter, Marketing & Sales Director of Sonaca Aircraft details “We chose to meet key-players from all over Europe (flight schools, aero clubs and private pilots) in order to help us define the specifications. This is when the idea of designing a single-engine two-seater aircraft dedicated to training and leisure was hatched. Our objective was clearly to develop the most appropriate machine to meet the market expectations.”
The aerodynamic performances, the easygoing handling capability and reliability make the aircraft ideally suited for pilots’ training.

A « made in Belgium » aircraft EASA certified
A demonstration aircraft is currently being tested in Belgium and neighbouring countries. “The first feedbacks from users are excellent. We are identifying the last modifications to be made. These are mostly structural and aim at improving the reliabilty, the robustness and maintenance cost” declares Pierre Van Wetter.
Sonaca 200 will be EASA⁽¹⁾ certified for a maximum take-off weight (MTOW⁽²⁾) of 750kg and cruise speed of 115 knots⁽³⁾. In addition to the obtention of the type certification, Sonaca Aircraft has initiated a procedure of DOA⁽⁴⁾ and POA⁽⁵⁾ certification. « The production site will be certified according to European norms. We will be allowed, to a certain extent, to modify the aircraft without introducing new certification requests; which will enable us to limit costs, to be autonomous and reactive » states Pierre Van Wetter.

Ambitious and innovative industrial project
With a capital of more than 2 millions euros, Sonaca Aircraft is owned at 65% by the aeronautic supplier Sonaca and at 35% by The Airplane Factory. « Benefitting from the financial support of renowned industrial actors guarantees a financial solidarity to the project and enables us to move forward quickly with the commercialisation of the aircraft” Yves Delatte comments, CEO of Sonaca Aircraft.

On the general aviation market, the aircraft stands out thanks to reduced maintenance cost, low fuel consumption (including unleaded gasoline) and quality of the after-sales service. “As subsidiary of the Sonaca group (direct supplier of Airbus, Dassaut, Embraer and Bombardier), Sonaca Aircraft offers a technical support of international class to its aircrafts, including delivery of replacement parts and repair solutions within 48h in order to minimise aircraft grounding » contends Yves Delatte.
Assembled in Belgium, the aircraft is already commercialised. The first deliveries are planned for (end) 2017.
A 4-seater version of the machine is being studied.


Sonaca 200  Technical specifications

ENGINE :

• BRP Rotax 914 F – 115 hp

SEATS :

• Number of seats : 2

DIMENSIONS :

• Wingspan : 9,15 m
• Length : 7 m

WEIGHT AND LOAD :

• Empty weight : 430 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 :

• Fuselage and wings : Aluminium Alloy
• Landing gear : Fibreglass + epoxy resin

CONSOMMATION :

• 18 l/hour

PRICE :

• Base rate (March 2016) : 175 000 euros.