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Sonex Aircraft SubSonex

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SubSonex
SubSonex
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sonex Aircraft
Designer Monett
First flight 10 August 2011
Introduction 2009
Status In production
Produced Fall 2014-present
Number built 6

The SubSonex is an experimental single place jet from Sonex Aircraft's "Hornet's Nest" development division.

Design and development

SubSonex demonstration flight
Prototype

The JSX-1 is a single place, single engine, jet aircraft similar in design to an Onex, with a Waiex style Y tail. It was introduced at AirVenture 2009. It is powered by a Czech-built PBS TJ-100 turbojet engine mounted above the aft fuselage, with the exhaust exiting between the Y-tail. The SubSonex achieved first engine test runs in December 2009. The engine produces 1100 N (240 lb) of thrust. Originally developed with only a central mono pod wheel, tail wheel and small wing tip outriggers, the prototype developed directional controllability problems during taxi-tests.

The production model of the SubSonex is the JSX-2. The landing gear was changed to a tricycle configuration with a manually retractable[citation needed] nosewheel.[1][2][3] It was flight tested by Jet-sailplane performer Bob Carlton in August 2011.[4]

At AirVenture 2013 the company began taking US$10,000 deposits on production kits. The projected price of the kit was US$125,000 in 2013 and US$135,000 in 2014.[5]

The first JSX-2 kit was shipped to a customer in February 2015[6][7] and was completed and flown in October 2015.[8]

Operational history

By May 2016 six examples had been registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[9][10]

Variants

JSX-1
Prototype version.
SubSonex JSX-2
SubSonex JSX-2
JSX-2
Second version with a BRS parachute, wider fuselage, more streamlined nose, and fully retractable undercarriage.[citation needed][11] Bob Carlton performed the first test flight with the prototype JSX-2 on 10 July 2014 from Wittman Field.[12] Entered production as an amateur-built kit in the fall of 2014.[13][14]

Specifications (JSX-2)

Data from Sonex Aircraft[15] and AINonline[14]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m)
  • Wingspan: 18 ft (5.5 m)
  • Wing area: 60 sq ft (5.6 m2)
  • Airfoil: 64-415
  • Empty weight: 500 lb (227 kg) average
  • Gross weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg) utility configuration
  • Fuel capacity: 40 U.S. gallons (150 L; 33 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × PBS TJ-100 turbojet

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 210 kn (240 mph, 390 km/h) TAS
  • Stall speed: 50 kn (58 mph, 93 km/h) landing configuration
  • Never exceed speed: 249 kn (287 mph, 462 km/h)
  • Range: 420 nmi (480 mi, 770 km) with 30 minute reserve
  • g limits: +4.4/-2.2 in utility configuration, +6/-3 in aerobatic configuration
  • Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (8.1 m/s) initial at sea level
  • Fuel consumption: 18 US gallons (68 L) per hour

Avionics

  • MGL Avionics Flight II instrument and the MGL V10 Com transceiver

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ Grady, Mary (30 December 2009). "First Flight Expected Soon For Jet-Powered Sonex". AVweb. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  2. ^ Grady, Mary (7 June 2010). "Jet-Powered Glider Completes Test Flights". AVweb. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  3. ^ "SubSonex Jet Prototype Ready to Resume Testing" (Press release). Oshkosh, WI: Sonex Aircraft. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  4. ^ "SubSonex Jet Completes Maiden Flight". Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  5. ^ Pew, Glenn. "Sonex Accepts Deposits For Personal Jet - AVweb flash Article". Avweb.com. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  6. ^ Kauh, Elaine (18 February 2015). "Sonex Begins Microjet Kit Deliveries". AVweb. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  7. ^ "Sonex Aircraft Delivers First Subsonex Kit". Sport Aviation: 14. August 2015.
  8. ^ Pope, Stephen. "First Customer-Built SubSonex Jet Flies". Flying (magazine). Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  9. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (7 May 2016). "JSX-2 Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  10. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (7 May 2016). "Subsonex Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  11. ^ "SubSonex Progress Update: October 7, 2011". Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  12. ^ Grady, Mary (14 July 2014). "Sonex Flies Single-Seat Jet". AVweb. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  13. ^ Sport Aviation: 14. April 2014. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ a b Thurber, Matt (1 September 2014). "AirVenture Report: 2014". AINonline. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  15. ^ "SubSonex Brochure" (PDF). Sonex Aircraft. Retrieved 28 July 2016.