Sonex Aircraft Reopens as Sonex Aviation After Acquisition in 2026

This article is based on an official press release from Sonex Aircraft, supplemented by industry reporting.

Sonex Aircraft, a cornerstone manufacturers in the experimental and homebuilt aircraft community based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has officially reopened its doors under the new name “Sonex Aviation” as of May 1, 2026. This rapid revival comes just over a month after the company shocked the aviation world with a sudden closure announcement.

According to an official company press release, the manufacturer’s assets, including the Sonex Aerospace and AeroConversions product lines, were acquired by ON Capital, Inc. The acquisition successfully recapitalized the business, allowing production to resume immediately and saving the beloved kit manufacturer from bankruptcy proceedings.

The swift 21-day turnaround from the initial closure to the finalization of the acquisition brings immense relief to builders and customers with unfulfilled orders. With the factory lights back on, the company is prioritizing its backlog, particularly for the highly anticipated Sonex High Wing model, while restructuring its leadership to focus on future innovation.

The Acquisition and New Leadership

A Swift Rescue by ON Capital

The rescue of Sonex was spearheaded by Stephen Osborne, the head of ON Capital, Inc. Osborne brings a deep, personal connection to grassroots aviation. According to the company’s release, he is a lifetime Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) member, a third-generation aviator, a warbird pilot, a flight-school owner, and a general contractor. His diverse background in both business management and aviation positioned him to quickly assess and acquire the struggling manufacturer.

Osborne emphasized his commitment to the brand’s legacy and its role in the broader aviation ecosystem in a public statement:

“My family has flown for three generations; its an absolute honor to carry on the proud legacy of the Sonex brand. Sonex is part of how this country builds pilots and how everyday people get into the sky. Letting it disappear was never an option. To every customer with a deposit on the books – get your shop space ready. We are open, we are building, and your kit is coming.”

— Stephen Osborne, Owner, Sonex Aviation

The transition has also received the blessing of the company’s original creator. John T. Monnett, Jr., the founder of Sonex Aircraft, expressed his confidence in the new ownership, stating in the press release that Osborne’s team possesses “the capital, the conviction, and the love of flight to take Sonex further than it has ever been.”

Production Resumes and Orders Honored

Fulfilling the Backlog

One of the most pressing concerns following the March closure was the status of customer deposits. Under the new Sonex Aviation banner, Osborne has publicly pledged to honor all existing customer deposits. The Oshkosh factory is currently operational, with crews actively working to clear the accumulated backlog. Company officials expect the facility to reach full production capacity within the next few weeks.

The Sonex High Wing and Leadership Shifts

A major focal point for the newly recapitalized company is the Sonex High Wing. According to production updates provided by the company, there are currently 80 pre-orders on the books for this new model. Sonex Aviation anticipates that tail kits will resume shipping in May 2026, with full kits expected to begin shipping by mid-summer.

To ensure the continued refinement of these kits, former owner and CEO Mark Schaible has been retained by the new ownership. Transitioning to the role of Lead Designer, Schaible is now freed from the day-to-day administrative and financial burdens that previously consumed his time. The company notes that he will now focus exclusively on aircraft design, kit refinement, and providing direct support to builders and pilots.

Contextualizing the March Closure

Financial Pressures and Market Shifts

The triumphant reopening stands in stark contrast to the bleak outlook presented just weeks prior. On March 27, 2026, Mark Schaible released a video message announcing the immediate shutdown of Sonex LLC. The closure halted all operations and pushed both the business and Schaible’s personal finances into bankruptcy proceedings.

At the time, Schaible attributed the failure to an insurmountable combination of economic factors.

“We’ve had to make this decision very suddenly as a perfect storm of bank pressure, lack of sales, increasing costs, competition from our own aircraft in the used market, and cashflow realities are not allowing us to continue our work.”

— Mark Schaible, speaking on March 27, 2026

AirPro News analysis

While internal cashflow and rising operational costs were the immediate catalysts for Sonex’s March collapse, broader regulatory and market shifts played a significant underlying role. As reported by Forbes in late March, the FAA‘s new MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule likely contributed to the financial strain on traditional light sport aircraft (LSA) manufacturers.

By expanding regulations to allow entry-level sport pilots to operate heavier, four-seat legacy aircraft like the Cessna 172, the MOSAIC rule inadvertently chilled the market for traditional two-seat kitplanes. We observe that many prospective builders and buyers paused their purchasing decisions, waiting to see what new four-seat options would become viable under the updated regulations. This hesitation directly impacted sales for companies like Sonex, which rely on a steady stream of kit orders to maintain cash flow.

Furthermore, the experimental aircraft market has been experiencing a period of notable instability. The recent high-profile bankruptcy and reorganization of Van’s Aircraft, the largest player in the kitplane industry, highlighted the fragile margins within the sector. However, the rapid 21-day rescue of Sonex Aviation underscores the remarkable resilience and brand loyalty within the grassroots aviation community. With an estimated 1,600 kits sold historically, Sonex remains a vital pipeline for affordable aircraft ownership, and its survival is a positive indicator for the homebuilt market’s endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new name of the company?

Following the acquisition by ON Capital, Inc., the company has been slightly rebranded and is now operating as Sonex Aviation.

Will my existing deposit be honored?

Yes. New owner Stephen Osborne has explicitly stated that all existing customer deposits on the books will be honored, and kits are currently being prepared for shipment.

When will the Sonex High Wing kits ship?

According to the company, tail kits for the Sonex High Wing are scheduled to ship in May 2026, with full kits expected to follow by mid-summer 2026.

Sources:

• Sonex Aircraft Official Press Release (May 1, 2026)