Sonex Aircraft SubSonex
The SubSonex is an experimental, single-place, amateur-built jet from Sonex Aircraft's "Hornet's Nest" development division. The aircraft is often referred to in the industry as a "microjet".
SubSonex | |
---|---|
SubSonex JSX-1 | |
Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Sonex Aircraft |
Designer | John Monnett |
First flight | 10 August 2011 |
Introduction | 2015 |
Status | In production (2019) |
Produced | Fall 2014-present |
Number built | 11 (July 2019) |
Design and development
The JSX-1 is a single place, single engine, jet aircraft similar in design to an Onex, with a Waiex style Y tail, fixed main landing gear and a retractable nosewheel. 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 exhibited directional controllability problems during taxi-tests.
The production model of the SubSonex is the JSX-2. The landing gear was changed to a fully retractable, pneumatically-operated, tricycle configuration.[1][2][3][4] It was flight tested by Jet-sailplane performer Bob Carlton in August 2011.[5][6]
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.[6][7]
The first JSX-2 kit was shipped to a customer in February 2015[8][9] and was completed and flown in October 2015.[10]
Operational history
By July 2019, 11 examples had been registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[11][12]
Variants
- JSX-1
- Prototype version.
- JSX-2
- Second version with a BRS parachute, wider fuselage, more streamlined nose, and fully retractable undercarriage.[13] Bob Carlton performed the first test flight with the prototype JSX-2 on 10 July 2014 from Wittman Field.[14] Entered production as an amateur-built kit in the fall of 2014.[15][16]
- JSX-2T
- Two-seats in side-by-side configuration version announced in July 2019. It will use the same PBS TJ-100 turbojet engine with the PBS TJ-150 as an option. The design is projected to offer a cruise speed of over 174 kn (322 km/h) and an estimated useful load of 970 lb (440 kg).[17] The aircraft is expected to be first publicly displayed at Airventure in July 2020.[18]
Specifications (JSX-2)
Data from Sonex Aircraft[19] and AINonline[16]
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, 290 lbf (1.3 kN) thrust
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
Related lists
References
- Grady, Mary (30 December 2009). "First Flight Expected Soon For Jet-Powered Sonex". AVweb. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
- Grady, Mary (7 June 2010). "Jet-Powered Glider Completes Test Flights". AVweb. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- "SubSonex Jet Prototype Ready to Resume Testing" (Press release). Oshkosh, WI: Sonex Aircraft. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- Sonex Aircraft (2014). "SubSonex Update: FAA NKET Checklist Posted, SubSonex Gets New Gear and New Test Flight Video Footage is Available!". campaign-archive.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- "SubSonex Jet Completes Maiden Flight". Retrieved 5 September 2011.
- Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 126. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- Pew, Glenn. "Sonex Accepts Deposits For Personal Jet - AVweb flash Article". Avweb.com. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- Kauh, Elaine (18 February 2015). "Sonex Begins Microjet Kit Deliveries". AVweb. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- "Sonex Aircraft Delivers First Subsonex Kit". Sport Aviation: 14. August 2015.
- Pope, Stephen. "First Customer-Built SubSonex Jet Flies". Flying. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- Federal Aviation Administration (12 July 2019). "JSX-2 Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- Federal Aviation Administration (12 July 2019). "Subsonex Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- "SubSonex Progress Update: October 7, 2011". Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- Grady, Mary (14 July 2014). "Sonex Flies Single-Seat Jet". AVweb. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- Sport Aviation: 14. April 2014. Missing or empty
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(help) - Thurber, Matt (1 September 2014). "AirVenture Report: 2014". AINonline. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
- O'Connor, Kate (11 July 2019). "Sonex To Offer Two-Place Jet Kit". AVweb. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- Cook, Marc (15 January 2020). "Two-Seat SubSonex Set to Debut at AirVenture 202". AVweb. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- "SubSonex Brochure" (PDF). Sonex Aircraft. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sonex Aircraft SubSonex JSX-1. |
- Official website
- Web Interview on SubSonex Progress
- The Second Coming of the Microjet, by Paul Bertorelli, AVweb