Sonex Aircraft has announced that pilot and engineer Jessica Bower has been hired as the newest member of the Hornets’ Nest Research and Development team at Sonex. Bower is a former employee of the Lockheed Martin ADP “Skunk Works” mentored by early Sonex lead engineer Pete Buck. Jessica is currently building Sonex #1563, while her father John Forster is building Sonex# 1567 and owns Sonex #480.
“Sonex is excited to have Jessica join our R&D staff,” said Sonex Founder and President John Monnett. “She brings a full tool box of skills, insights and passion that will help us move forward on all our future projects.”
Bower is a MIT graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics and is a native of nearby Kaukauna, WI. She earned her Private Pilot’s License at Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport, has attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 21 out of her 27 years, and has been an EAA member since the age of 16. In the Advanced Development
Programs department of Lockheed Martin, Jessica was primarily responsible for conceptual design of the next generation of military aircraft, including configuration layout and performance analysis, design skills that make her a great choice to shape the future of Sonex aircraft designs and carry-on the proud tradition of Sonex engineering.
Bower said she is thrilled to join the Sonex team, and to be back in the heart of experimental aviation that is Oshkosh. “The Skunk Works made me want to be an aerospace engineer, but experimental airplanes are my first aviation love. Sonex has a fantastic line of airplanes and products, and I think people will be excited to see what comes out of the Hornet’s Nest R&D Center in the future!”
Sonex Aircraft, LLC is a leader in the experimental kit aircraft industry, providing a series of sport aircraft along with the AeroConversions line of products, which include the AeroVee engine, AeroVee Turbo, AeroInjector and ancillary aviation products. Sonex Aircraft’s Sonex, Waiex, and Onex sport planes, the Xenos sport motorglider, and the SubSonex Personal Jet, offer outstanding performance in an easy to build, easy to fly kit package that can be purchased and completed with full technical support at an unrivaled price. Highly regarded as an engineering company, Sonex has diversified its offerings to include the Teros line of UAV aircraft for civil and defense missions in conjunction with Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation. Sonex and AeroConversions continue to invest heavily in developing new products. Our team is committed to providing simple, elegant and low-cost solutions for sport flying. Simply put, Sonex Aircraft and AeroConversions products provide the Best Performance Per Dollar. Check us out at www.SonexAircraft.com and www.AeroConversions.com
